Rivers: Fubara, Legislators’ Removal Unconstitutional, Threat To Democracy — Obi

The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s unilateral removal of Rivers State Governor, Sir Similaya Fubara, his deputy and the state legislators.

President Tinubu had in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, stating that his action was to restore constitutionality in the governance of state while accusing the Governor Fubara of several constitutional breaches in governance of the state.

Tinubu also appointed a former chief of Naval Staff, Vice-admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas (rtd) from Cross River State as Sole Administrator of River State for the initial six months period.

He further directed immediate commencement of emergency rule in the state.

However, in his reaction in his verified X-handle, the former LP presidential candidate described the removal of Fubara, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly as unconstitutional and reckless.

The former Anambra State governor warned that such actions threatens Nigeria’s democracy, undermine the rule of law, and set a dangerous precedence for governance.

The decision, according to him, has plunged the country back into lawlessness and undoing the democratic progress made over the past 26 years.

He accused the President of displaying a “dangerous willingness to trample on democracy” insisting that the President bypassed constitutional processes, and that he arbitrarily declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless – it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten the government’s grip on power at all costs.

“The action is a degrading backdoor imposition of martial rule on a key part of the country. Such an approach has serious implications for Nigeria’s democracy.

“The decision represents a biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared. The provision does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove a sitting governor, such a move is in direct violation of democratic norms and good governance.

“This decision does not align with democratic principles. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria,” the statement read.

Obi appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders to block the declaration, maintaining that “it only deepens the culture of impunity already threatening our democracy.”

He warned that if the president’s action was allowed to stand, it will breed a culture of impunity and lawlessness while also expressing concern that Nigeria is already grappling with widespread electoral malpractice, disregard for due process, and massive rigging.

The former presidential candidate emphasised that the arbitrary removal of elected officials would only push the country further into instability and anarchy.

He called on the National Assembly and all democratic stakeholders to resist the move, stating that failure to do so would further entrench impunity and political brigandage in the country.