Prominent Nigerian security expert and public affairs commentator, Chief Sir Chikwe Udensi, has defended the federal intervention in Rivers State, saying the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara ultimately saved him from impeachment and prevented a deeper political crisis.
Udensi, a former Interpol systems consultant known for his views on national security and governance, made the remarks during a media discussion on Nigeria’s democracy and executive power. He said the political situation in Rivers had deteriorated to the point where Fubara’s removal through impeachment had become inevitable.
According to him, the state had descended into violent confrontation, destruction of property and a breakdown of governance before the intervention. He argued that the federal action restored a fragile calm and stopped the escalation of violence.
Udensi said, “Fubara would have been impeached certainly,” adding that what exists in the state now is a “no peace, no war” situation which he believes is better than the earlier chaos marked by shootings and demolition of houses.
He acknowledged that many legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of the president’s action but maintained that in certain emergency situations, decisive steps outside strict legal boundaries may be necessary to stabilise a volatile environment.
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“Sometimes you will see that an action, though it may not be legitimate, serves a very strong purpose,” he said, describing the Rivers intervention as one that “saved the day” and prevented a total collapse of order.
Udensi’s position comes amid ongoing debate over whether the federal government’s handling of the Rivers crisis has strengthened stability or weakened democratic culture in Nigeria. Critics argue that such actions risk setting dangerous precedents and expanding presidential powers beyond constitutional limits.
However, the security expert insisted that leadership must prioritise the protection of lives and the preservation of governance during periods of crisis, even if the decisions are controversial.
He also used the discussion to raise broader concerns about Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary, which he said is facing credibility challenges due to conflicting judgments and weak disciplinary action against erring judges.
Udensi warned that while emergency interventions may bring short-term stability, they must be applied cautiously to avoid undermining constitutional governance in the long run.
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