The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has described the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu as the darkest era in Nigeria’s democracy.

The declaration, which has been approved by the Federal House of Representatives and the Nigerian Senate, suspended Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

In a statement by its spokesman, Binebia Princewill, the umbrella body of Ijaw youths worldwide said despite efforts to strengthen democracy, the Tinubu administration has reduced Nigeria’s democracy to a laughing stock globally.

The IYC also expressed disappointment in the National Assembly for failing to uphold its constitutional function of checks and balances.

“The National Assembly’s approval has severely undermined these principles, leaving Nigeria’s democracy bleeding and wobbling in limbo,” the council stated.

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The council warns that this move may set a precedent for the president to suspend other State governments and even the National Assembly when contrary positions are taken.

The IYC believes this is a clear case of state-sponsored oppression, just as it commended the senators and House of Representatives members who spoke out against this declaration, adding that History will remember their stance.

The IYC notes that only one man, in the form of a sole administrator, will now govern Rivers State with ceased allocations that will be released for him. This is a political vendetta taken too far, with President Tinubu’s involvement so clear. The Sole Administrator will no longer present a budget to the State House of Assembly, which was a strong case against Fubara.

For the record, the council reiterated that there was no breach of peace in Rivers State that warranted this declaration, but instead, President Tinubu’s administration targeted Governor Fubara and the Rivers people to please his political allies.

It added, “It seems Nigeria is back to military regime.”