Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called President Bola Tinubu’s “unilateral decision” to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from office for six months an “unconstitutional and reckless move.”

Yesterday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state assembly.

Reacting to this, Obi claimed Tinubu has plunged Nigeria back into a “state of lawlessness” and undermined “the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.”

“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless,” Obi wrote on X on Wednesday.

“It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.”

Obi accused Tinubu of “disregarding the rule of law” and showing a “dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.”

According to him, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless but also a clear attempt to return Nigeria to a state of nature and tighten Tinubu’s grip on power at all costs.

Obi noted that a state of emergency does not legally permit the unilateral removal of an elected governor, emphasizing that Tinubu’s decision does not align with democratic norms.

He stated: “It is a degrading backdoor 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.”

The former Anambra State governor then called on the National Assembly and other stakeholders to intervene, urging them not to allow Tinubu’s suspension to stand.

“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 brigandage already threatening our democracy.”

THE GUARDIAN