Lagos, Nigeria – Chief Olabode George, a prominent chieftain and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised serious alarm over the proposed local government elections in Rivers State. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, George accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to “legitimize illegality” through its actions in the state. His statement, titled ‘Enough of Executive Recklessness and Brigandage,’ sharply criticized the handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
George’s concerns stem from the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which led to the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his Deputy, and the State House of Assembly. This declaration followed a significant political upheaval between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Subsequently, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator overseeing the state’s affairs.
Last week, President Tinubu formally sought the National Assembly’s approval for key appointments in Rivers State, including a Chairman and six members for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). George vehemently argued that this move to appoint RSIEC members by an Administrator, who he considers to be in office illegally, represents an attempt to impose an “illegality” on Rivers State’s governance.
“Nigeria currently finds itself at a critical juncture, where the actions of the current political administration threaten to erode the very foundations of our hard-won democracy,” George asserted. He expressed deep concern that “twenty-six years after the restoration of civilian governance, a growing number of Nigerians are left questioning the authenticity of a government that claims to be of, by, and for the people.”
George highlighted the absence of significant violence in Rivers State before and after the emergency declaration, suggesting that the crisis was “manufactured” and politically motivated. He criticized those who praised President Tinubu’s decision, arguing it revealed the political motivations behind the emergency rule.
The PDP stalwart further contended that the President’s insistence on these appointments demonstrates a troubling disregard for democratic principles, raising serious concerns about the concentration of power and the undermining of democratic institutions. He characterized it as “a calculated effort to bypass accountability and manipulate state functions at a time when the people’s voice should be paramount.”
George warned of a dangerous trajectory for the nation: “It is disheartening that Nigeria is precariously and dangerously staggering on the path of self-destruction. I pray this trouble does not start from Rivers State.” He criticized the current leadership for allegedly ignoring past lessons and pursuing policies that could lead to national disintegration.
“What the President is doing in this Rivers matter is completely illegal, and Nigerians know this. Constitutionality is being disregarded and disrespected. It is not possible for illegality to overcome legality. It will never happen, now or later,” George declared, emphasizing that “the moment you take the mandate of the people away, it is no longer democracy. That is exactly what is happening in Rivers State.”
He alleged a deliberate scheme to destabilize the state, allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take control of Rivers “from the back door.” George also lamented the administration’s focus, stating, “Instead of Tinubu addressing critical issues in the polity, he is busy naming and renaming public facilities after himself.” He reiterated that Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas is illegally in office and thus lacks the power to make critical appointments.
Expressing deep concern for the suffering of Nigerians amidst insecurity, hunger, and joblessness, George accused the Federal Government, the APC, and the Senate of being solely interested in controlling Rivers’ resources. He drew parallels to historical political collapses in Nigeria, warning, “Today, I see what led to the collapse of the First and Second Republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government.”
George specifically challenged the National Assembly’s role in approving the state of emergency, questioning whether the constitutionally mandated two-thirds approval (74 Senators and 240 Representatives) was genuinely met, rather than a mere “voice vote.”
“This presidential system we are operating now is worse than what happens in a military organization. This is no longer democracy. It portends what is coming in 2027,” he cautioned.
Concluding his impassioned address, Chief Bode George delivered a stark message to President Tinubu: “Power is transient, not absolute. The power you wield today is not permanent. You only know the beginning of a crisis. You don’t know where and when it will end. Nigerians are suffering but these operators don’t care about the people. There is a dangerous slide to anarchy in the polity. If they don’t apply the brake now, the wrong direction they are heading may lead to political collapse.”
