Ann-Kio Briggs Urges President Tinubu to Engage Directly with Rivers State Amid Governor’s Suspension Crisis

Niger Delta activist Ann-Kio Briggs has called on President Bola Tinubu to engage directly with the people of Rivers State, claiming that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was based on misinformation and political maneuvering.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Briggs criticized the federal government’s actions, asserting that the crisis in Rivers State stemmed from decisions made without proper consultation or credible intelligence. She disputed the president’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, which he attributed to insecurity.

“When the president announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing insecurity, it was clear there was no such insecurity in the region,” she said.

Briggs contended that the justifications for suspending Fubara were not substantiated and only deepened instability and eroded public trust.

“The president has been seriously misinformed. It is the people of Rivers State who are suffering because of this misinformation,” she added.

Briggs, a member of a Pan-Niger Delta Forum delegation that met with President Tinubu shortly before Fubara’s suspension, suggested that the suspension might have been pre-planned.

“We met with the president on a Tuesday, and by the following Monday, Fubara was suspended. This made it seem as though the decision was already made when we met with him,” she explained.

Briggs called for transparency and urged the president to initiate a direct dialogue with the people of Rivers State. “Mr. President, we need to talk to you. You need to talk to us,” she concluded.

In addition, Briggs expressed concern over a recent Supreme Court ruling affecting 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC, questioning both the timing and scope of the decision. She pointed out that the case was still pending in a lower court and should not have been preemptively decided by the Supreme Court.

“That matter was still pending in a lower court. Yet, Sim Fubara chose to comply with the Supreme Court ruling regardless,” she remarked.

Briggs argued that if President Tinubu were to acknowledge the flaws behind the federal intervention in Rivers State, it would show true leadership.

“If he admits that he was misinformed and takes corrective action, it would show strength and leadership,” she asserted.

She also expressed disappointment with the National Assembly’s response, particularly the House of Representatives’ delayed and possibly insincere warning to the state’s sole administrator.

“We’ve lost confidence in the National Assembly’s leadership. Remember, Ibas was already sworn in before they even approved his appointment, which is not the proper procedure,” she stated.

Briggs ended with a strong reminder about the importance of adhering to democratic processes. “Removing a democratically elected governor and deputy outside constitutional means is simply not acceptable. The president must ask himself: ‘Have I made a mistake? Have I been misled?’”

She warned that civil society in Rivers State would not remain silent for much longer and could take mass action if the federal government does not correct its course.