Less than two hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months alongside the 27 lawmakers.
The president, during the live broadcast, said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
Shortly after the declaration, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) issued a press statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, rejected the decision, describing it as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
It also added that it was a violation of the 1999 Constitution and an attempt to override the will of Rivers State voters.
The statement read, “This unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu, suspending a democratically elected governor and appointing an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to govern the state, is a direct attack on our democracy and an abrogation of the people’s democratic rights.”
The party alleged that this action was part of a broader scheme to capture Rivers State for the All-Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of orchestrating a crisis to justify federal intervention.
“This is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State. The APC has been bent on stoking crises to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the state,” the statement added.
The PDP also argued that the reasons given by President Tinubu for declaring emergency rule didn’t meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
PDP questioned the legality of Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers.
The PDP warned that the decision was unconstitutional, pointing out that Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution requires the National Assembly’s approval for a state of emergency to take effect.
Quoting the Constitution, the PDP stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that ‘The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation, including the details of the emergency, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House… to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation.”
According to the PDP, Tinubu’s unilateral action, without National Assembly approval was illegal.
The party insisted that the President couldn’t remove an elected governor and install an appointed administrator.
“Mr. President should recognize that his order for an unelected individual to take over the government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis. It threatens peace and stability not only in Rivers State but across the entire nation,” the PDP warned.
The PDP further cautioned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) against assuming the position of Rivers State administrator, warning that any attempt to usurp democratic governance in the state would not be accepted.
“Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a four-year tenure, which cannot be unconstitutionally abridged. Nigeria is not under military rule where state governance is determined by appointment rather than by the people,” the PDP stated.
The party urged Vice Admiral Ibas to uphold the Constitution and avoid actions that could derail democratic governance in Rivers State.
Read Also: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers, suspends Fubara, Lawmakers for 6 Months
Read Also: Rivers Crisis: Tinubu ousts Fubara, appoints ex-naval chief as Administrator
