The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as both unconstitutional and reckless.
The New Daily Prime reported that Mr Tinubu suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Additionally, he appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Reacting to the development, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, criticized the move, stating that it has plunged Nigeria back into lawlessness and undone much of the democratic progress achieved over the past 26 years.
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He further accused the President of displaying a dangerous disregard for the rule of law, warning that such actions threaten the very foundation of democracy.
“The declaration is not just reckless—it is a blatant attempt to drag us back to a state of nature while tightening the grip on power at all costs,” Obi asserted.
He said, “It is a degrading back door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives. The political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is also a biased interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.
“This action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity.
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“Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.
“I appeal to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow this to stand, as it only deepens the culture of impunity and brigand already threatening our democracy.”
