Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi endorses President Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, emphasizing its necessity for national economic interests and referencing a Supreme Court ruling that deemed Fubara’s leadership despotic. Fagbemi argues that any disruption in oil production adversely impacts all Nigerians, justifying the intervention to restore order and uphold constitutional authority.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has publicly supported President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He asserted that this action is essential for protecting Nigeria’s national economic interests, particularly regarding oil production in Rivers State, which is crucial for all Nigerians.
Fagbemi underscored the importance of maintaining stability in oil production, stating, “In today’s Nigeria, for anyone to touch these pipelines, it’s not only the enemy of Rivers, it’s the enemy of Nigeria.” He expressed that disruptions to the oil sector adversely affect every state due to the shared economic benefits derived from oil production.
Despite ongoing efforts by various stakeholders to resolve the crisis in Rivers State, Fagbemi highlighted that the situation remained unchanged, leading President Tinubu to act decisively. He quoted the President’s stance that the detrimental state of affairs must not persist:
“A situation in which the critical economic life of the nation… is criminally touched without any response from those who would ordinarily be expected to do so cannot continue.”
The Attorney General also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from February 28, 2025, which deemed Governor Fubara guilty of constitutional violations and characterized his governance style as despotic. He noted, “The Supreme Court… made a categorical pronouncement… particularly the governor of Rivers State. It came to the conclusion that he was acting like a despot and that as the situation is in Rivers State, there is no government.”
Fagbemi argued that the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling necessitated action from the federal government, stating, “These are very serious and very worthy allegations that only an irresponsible head of state or leader will fold his arms to and ignore.”
Addressing concerns about potential overreach by the presidential office, Fagbemi clarified that President Tinubu was not involved in the Supreme Court’s ruling. He affirmed that the President’s actions are consistent with constitutional obligations, emphasizing that everyone has a duty to uphold judicial judgments.
The Attorney General’s remarks come in light of public scrutiny regarding the legitimacy of suspending an elected governor. Nonetheless, Fagbemi contends that this intervention was vital for re-establishing order and ensuring adherence to the rule of law.
In summary, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi supports President Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Fubara as a necessary measure to protect national economic interests and uphold the law. He underscores the critical nature of oil production and emphasizes that disruption is tantamount to harming all Nigerians. Citing a Supreme Court ruling that criticized Fubara’s leadership, Fagbemi argues that the federal government must act decisively to address serious constitutional breaches.
Original Source: www.arise.tv
