AGF: Rivers Emergency Rule a Warning to Other States Facing Crisis

 The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi has described the emergency rule declared in Rivers State as a necessary step to prevent anarchy, warning that other states experiencing internal crises could face similar federal intervention if the situation worsens.

Speaking at a press briefing, the AGF stated that the government would not hesitate to take constitutional measures to maintain law and order across Nigeria. He pointed out that the Rivers situation serves as a strong signal to states with political instability, security threats, or governance breakdowns.

According to him, while states have the autonomy to manage their internal affairs, the federal government has a constitutional duty to intervene when instability poses a threat to national security and economic stability. He urged state governors to resolve political disputes and security challenges proactively, warning that allowing conflicts to escalate could lead to more federal action.

However, his comments have fueled concerns that the federal government may be setting a precedent for using emergency rule as a political tool. Opposition figures argue that the move in Rivers was excessive and could be replicated in other states under flimsy justifications. Civil rights organizations have called for greater transparency in handling security crises, stressing the need to uphold democratic principles even in times of emergency.

Despite these concerns, the AGF maintains that the Rivers case was handled within the boundaries of the law and should be seen as a firm stance against governance failures in crisis-prone states. The situation remains tense as stakeholders continue to debate the implications of the emergency rule and the broader impact on Nigeria’s federal system.