Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has dismissed claims that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, orchestrated the political crisis that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly members for six months, citing political instability. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of the state.

However, critics alleged that Tinubu’s decision favored Wike, Fubara’s predecessor and political rival. Responding to these claims on Thursday, Fagbemi told State House correspondents that Fubara’s actions were responsible for the crisis, not Wike.

“Was Wike the one that asked the State Assembly to be demolished? I don’t see the hand of the Minister of the FCT in what happened,” Fagbemi stated, referencing the demolition of the Assembly complex, which a Supreme Court ruling linked to an attempt to prevent Fubara’s impeachment.

He further explained that the President acted within constitutional provisions, adding that the National Assembly would have the final say on the emergency declaration.

“If the National Assembly feels the President’s decision is wrong, they will not give him the required two-thirds support. We expect a decision within 48 hours,” he said.