Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has described the Tuesday’s declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on Rivers State as an illegality that any right-thinking Nigerian must resist.
Makinde, an ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is one of the gladiators in the Rivers State political crisis, said it was necessary to speak up against anything that threatens the development of the nation, even if it takes one standing alone.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the State House of Assembly, were suspended on Tuesday for an initial period of six months by President Tinubu over the prolonged political dispute in the state.
LEADERSHIP reports that both chambers of the National Assembly ratified the president’s declaration on Thursday.
But, reacting to the development through his monthly newsletter released on Thursday, Governor Makinde said, “As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.
“This is why I stand today to say that the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice. And I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.”
He recalled that the PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting on Wednesday where it “unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.”
He added, “We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon. The time to act is now!”
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