Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.
Amaechi described the move as unconstitutional and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The suspension followed the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday due to the prolonged political crisis in the region. As part of the measures, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator for an initial six-month period.
Reacting to the development in a statement released on Wednesday, Amaechi asserted that Tinubu’s decision amounted to an unconstitutional seizure of power, warning that it set a dangerous precedent.
He insisted that the removal of an elected governor must follow the constitutional process outlined in Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, which does not grant the President the authority to unilaterally suspend a sitting governor.
According to Amaechi, Tinubu’s action effectively suspended democratic governance in Rivers State, undermining the Constitution he swore to uphold.
He urged well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), to take a stand against what he termed a “blatant power grab.”
He also warned that the move reflected a broader attempt by certain political actors to impose control over the state outside constitutional boundaries.
He commended governors who had already spoken against the decision and called on others to join in resisting what he described as an illegal suspension of elected officials.
“The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy,” Amaechi stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action to reverse the decision and uphold the rule of law.
