Aide Says Fubara Safe, As Bode George Warns Of 1962 Crisis Repeat

Mr Nelson Chukwudi, the chief press secretary to suspended governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said the governor is safe and doing well.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend yesterday, Chukwudi said, “Forget about what you are reading on social media, the governor is safe and doing well.”

Meanwhile, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has strongly condemned the recent suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that such actions are unconstitutional and could plunge the nation into a deeper political crisis.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV yesterday, George expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected officials without recourse to due process.

“We have to be extremely careful. Was there widespread violence in Rivers State to warrant such an emergency? No,” George stated, recalling that the situation mirrors the 1962 Western Region crisis, which ultimately contributed to Nigeria’s descent into military coup and civil war.

Expanding on his remarks, he referenced past interventions by previous administrations. “When former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, no governor or elected official was removed despite the violence in those states,” he said.

He also noted that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo suspended Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, it was under a different context, stressing that the current situation in Rivers State does not merit similar actions.

George criticised what he termed a hasty and unilateral decision. “You cannot sign a gazette and then send it to parliament for retroactive approval. That is not how constitutional democracy works,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu to exercise restraint, warning that history is dangerously repeating itself. “What is happening now reminds me too much of 1962,” he added.

Addressing internal party issues, George lamented the actions of former Rivers State governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of betraying the PDP.

“He has crossed the red line. Revoking the party secretariat’s Certificate of Occupancy is like seizing your father’s house,” he said, expressing disappointment over Wike’s collaboration with the APC-led government.

He also questioned the silence of PDP lawmakers during the National Assembly’s approval of the controversial suspension. “Where were the dissenting voices? Where were the opposition lawmakers? We need to ask serious questions about that,” he queried.

George called on Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, warning that further political recklessness could ignite national instability. “Let us be prayerful, especially in this sacred period of Ramadan and Lent,” he added.

He appealed to the people of Rivers State to remain peaceful and law-abiding. “Do not give in to provocation. The people will ultimately decide,” he said.