The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections in Nigeria, Peter Obi, has called out President Bola Tinubu for suspending Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers for six months.
Peter Obi stated that Tinubu did not follow the rule of law, describing his decision as unconstitutional and reckless.
In a lengthy post on his official X page, Peter Obi further said that the President’s reckless decision has taken Nigeria back into a state of lawlessness, undoing the progress the country has made in the past 26 years of democracy.
He also said that the President’s disregard for the rule of law shows a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.
Peter Obi stressed that the political situation in Rivers State did not justify such an extreme measure and that it is also a biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
He said a state of emergency does not mean an elected governor can be removed unilaterally, as the decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance.
He added that Tinubu’s decision appeared to be a predetermined action to serve a specific interest rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Peter Obi appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow this to stand, as it only deepens the culture of impunity and brigandage already threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
In his words:
” The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Similaya 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 .
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.
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.
A new Nigeria is POssible!
-PO”
See the post below:
The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Similaya 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…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) March 19, 2025
