A former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi has described the suspension of Rivers state Governor, Siminilayi Fubara as unconstitutional and reckless.
Obi in a statement issued Wednesday on his verified X handle warned that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy, undermine the rule of law, and set a dangerous precedent for governance.
He also described the action as a “degrading backdoor imposition of martial rule” on a key part of the country, warning that such an approach has serious implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi argued that 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.
He pointed out that the provision does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove a sitting governor, emphasising that such a move was in direct violation of democratic norms and good governance.
Obi noted: “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 stated.
“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 decision has plunged the country back into lawlessness, undoing the democratic progress made over the past 26 years.”
Obi accused President Bola Tinubu of displaying a “dangerous willingness to trample on democracy” by bypassing constitutional processes and arbitrarily declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
