Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, calling it an unconstitutional move that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
Amaechi, who also served as the Minister of Transportation, said the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly members was a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution. He described Tinubu’s action as a “reckless power grab” that could ruin his government.
Tinubu’s Declaration Sparks Controversy
On Tuesday, President Tinubu announced in a national broadcast that he was suspending all elected officials in Rivers State for an initial period of six months due to prolonged political instability and security concerns. The crisis in the state has been fueled by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
While Tinubu argued that his decision was necessary to restore order, Amaechi, along with opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, has condemned the move, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent.
Amaechi said in a statement on Wednesday, “With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.”
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Constitutional Violation?
Amaechi cited Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the legal process for removing a state governor. He emphasized that Tinubu had no constitutional authority to remove an elected governor by presidential decree.
He explained, “Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution clearly stipulates how a state governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree, or promulgation by Mr. President. A democratically elected state governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President.”
He further argued that even Section 305, which Tinubu referenced as the basis for his emergency declaration, does not grant the president the power to unilaterally dissolve elected state institutions.
A Dangerous Affront on Democracy
Amaechi warned that the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State was part of a larger scheme to impose political control over the state. He called on Nigerians, state governors, and legislators to speak out against what he described as an “audacious violation” of the country’s democratic system.
He said, “The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months point to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally impose themselves on the people. At this moment in our nation’s history, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this rape of our democracy.”
He urged the National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s declaration, stating that allowing such an action to stand could lead to the erosion of democracy across Nigeria.
“Politicians across the divide should speak up. State governors and legislators should rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism,” he urged.
As a former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Amaechi emphasized the role that state governors could play in resisting Tinubu’s move. He praised those who had already spoken out against the suspension and urged others to take a stand.
“I commend the governors that have spoken publicly against this unlawful suspension. The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy,” he said.