The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state legislators, calling it unconstitutional and reckless.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing constitutional breaches by Governor Fubara. As part of the emergency measures, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas from Cross River State as the state’s sole administrator for an initial six-month period.
Reacting via his verified X handle, Obi warned that the move threatens Nigeria’s democracy, undermines the rule of law, and sets a dangerous precedent for governance. He accused Tinubu of bypassing constitutional processes to tighten his grip on power.
“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,” Obi said.
He further argued that Tinubu’s decision amounted to an unconstitutional imposition of martial rule, misinterpreting Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which does not empower the President to unilaterally remove a sitting governor.
“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,” Obi stated.
Calling on the National Assembly and other stakeholders to resist the declaration, Obi warned that allowing it to stand would deepen the culture of impunity, lawlessness, and political instability in Nigeria. He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening electoral malpractice and disregard for due process.
“The arbitrary removal of elected officials will only push the country further into instability and anarchy,” he cautioned.
Obi urged democratic institutions to take a stand against the move, insisting that failure to do so would entrench impunity and erode the progress Nigeria has made in democratic governance over the past 26 years.
