The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked intense backlash, with 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi calling it an unconstitutional overreach that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi, in a strong-worded statement on his social media handle Wednesday, urged the National Assembly to resist the move and withhold legislative support, warning that such executive overreach could set a dangerous precedent.
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless,” Obi stated. “This plunges Nigeria back into lawlessness, undoing 26 years of democratic progress.”
He argued that Tinubu’s interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution was flawed and that the situation in Rivers did not warrant such an extreme measure. “A state of emergency does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove an elected governor. This is a blatant assault on democratic norms,” he emphasized.
Obi further criticized what he called an emerging pattern of impunity in the country, citing electoral irregularities, the manipulation of qualification rules, and the increasing disregard for the rule of law. “If this unconstitutional move is allowed to stand, it will entrench lawlessness and push Nigeria further into anarchy.”
Calling on lawmakers and stakeholders to reject the development, Obi insisted that upholding democracy should take precedence over political interests. “A new Nigeria is possible, but only if we stand against actions that undermine our democracy.”
His statement joins a growing wave of criticism from political leaders, civil society organizations, and legal experts questioning the legitimacy and implications of Tinubu’s decision on governance and constitutional order.
