The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that it was a necessary step to restore governance and avert further crisis.
[…] President Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all members of the state House of Assembly due to the ongoing political turmoil in the oil-rich state. He also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the sole administrator for the state.
In an interview with The Nation, Idris emphasized that the president had no intention of taking over the governance of Rivers State or appointing a new governor.
“Rivers State belongs to the people of Rivers State,” he stated. “Just like all other states have their governors and are functioning, the president also wants…