Obi Condemns Suspension of Gov. Fubara by President Tinubu, Says it’s Unconstitutional, Reckless
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for suspending Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as “unconstitutional and reckless”.
Thelensng reported on Tuesday that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers – and suspended Mr. Fubara; his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu and all members of the House of Assembly (HoA) for 6 months amid the political crisis in the state.
Reacting to the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Obi stated that President Tinubu’s decision has created an atmosphere for disorder in the country.
He wrote: “The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless. It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.
“By disregarding the rule of law, the President has shown a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy. 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 its grip on power at all costs.
“It is a degrading back door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives.”
According to him, the political situation on ground in Rivers State does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is also a biased interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution.
Obi noted that a state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally, stressing that the 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,” he remarked.
The former Anambra State Governor explained that the action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
This, he said, if left unchecked, could foster a culture of impunity, emphasising that “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.”
He appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow the decision to stand, adding that it only deepens the culture of impunity and brigand already threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
