Wike: Tinubu Not Planning to Extend Emergency Rule in Rivers State

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is not interested in extending the state of emergency in Rivers State.

Wike made this known during his monthly press briefing in Abuja on Monday, where he discussed the legality of the emergency rule and the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 30.

According to Wike, Tinubu supports the elections as a way to restore democratic structures at the local government level. He emphasized that continuing the emergency rule would not sit well with the people of Rivers.

> “The President, in his wisdom to restore peace and democratic governance, issued a new regulation in July mandating the conduct of local government elections within 30 days,” Wike said.

He added that without the elections, local governments would be unable to access federal funds because:

The governor cannot appoint caretaker committees (as ruled by the Supreme Court)

And without elected officials, local governments cannot access the Federation Account

Wike explained that the emergency rule gives the President power to make regulations and temporarily suspend parts of the law. That’s how Tinubu was able to bypass parts of the 2022 Electoral Act.

He stressed that if the elections aren’t held now, the incoming governor would be forced to give a one-year notice before organizing fresh polls — meaning local governments would remain inactive and unfunded for a year.