Barely one week of the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Peculiar Patriot Initiative of Nigeria (PEPIN) through its National President coordinating Delta State, Hon. (Mrs.) Felicia Awani Akande, joined host of other progressive personalities, entities and groups to drum support for Mr. President on his policies and intervention on the prolonged and persistent political crises in Rivers State for over one year now that has ravaged the oil-rich region housing critical oil facilities and infrastructures.
Recall that on the 18th day of March 2025 in a nationwide broadcast, Mr. President made a rather difficult but necessary declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, installing emergency rule by a Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd), who will be standing in for the embattled and suspended Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu together with all elected members of Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
However, this declaration by Mr. President was greeted by knocks and criticism especially from the opposition camps in utter display of ignorance of constitutional provisions empowering the President to take such drastic measure. “We are aware that President Tinubu has acted within the confines of the law;” Hon. Akande enthused, as she confirmed that Mr. President cited Section 305 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, which he invoked.
Speaking further with her Media Directorate led by Comrade Azuka Odanike, the PEPIN National President coordinating Delta State affirmed that Mr. President cannot afford to remain aloof while the roof of his house is on fire, adding that Mr. President cannot afford to watch any part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria degenerate to an ungovernable enclave which was almost becoming the case of Rivers State. Therefore, it became necessary for a declaration of emergency rule in the crisis-torn region for a period of six months to usher tranquility and an enabling atmosphere to resolve the lingering crisis without prejudice to democracy.
In a unanimous decision by the National President and State Executives of PEPIN, a vote of confidence was passed on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his policies and reforms, which were initially like bitter pills necessary for the healing of Nigeria, have started paying off.
The reward for every good work is more work. By this maxim, the PEPIN family, Delta State led by its National President, Hon. (Mrs.) Felicia Awani Akande wishes to drum full support and pull its weight behind our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Delta State APC National Leader, His Excellency, DSP Senator Ovie Omo Agege, while expressing confidence of better days ahead for Deltans in particular and Nigerians in general, in view of 2027 general elections.
SIGNED:
Hon. (Mrs.) Felicia Awani Akande
Editor-in-Chief and National President Coordinating Delta State PEPIN
Comrade Azuka Odanike
Lead Editor and Media Director, Delta State PEPIN
Comrade Wilbet Ijeoma
Editor and Asst. Media Director, Delta State PEPIN
