In a fiery condemnation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unprecedented decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has issued a blistering rebuke, calling the move undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
The former Minister of Transportation did not hold back in his statement released on Wednesday, labeling the suspension an illegal power grab and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
“A Dangerous Precedent”
Amaechi’s outrage stemmed from what he sees as a clear overreach of executive power, arguing that Tinubu has no constitutional right to dissolve elected state governments.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State,” Amaechi declared. “This clearly violates the Constitution—the very same Constitution Mr. President swore to uphold.”
Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, he pointed out that a governor can only be removed through impeachment—not by presidential decree.
Is Section 305 Being Abused?
Amaechi took particular aim at Tinubu’s use of Section 305, which grants the President authority to declare a state of emergency. However, he emphasized that the provision does not empower the President to dismiss elected state officials or dissolve state institutions.
“If we allow this to stand, what stops the President from declaring emergency rule in any state where he is politically uncomfortable? This is a test of Nigeria’s democracy, and we must not fail,” he warned.
A Call to Action: “This Illegality Cannot Stand”
Accusing hidden forces of orchestrating a political takeover, Amaechi called on governors, lawmakers, and Nigerians across party lines to rise up against this blatant subversion of democracy.
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s history, all people of goodwill and conscience must oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and the rape of our democracy.
Mr. President must be made to understand, in unmistakable terms, that this illegality cannot and will not stand,” he declared.
Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also commended governors who have spoken out against Tinubu’s decision. He urged others to join in rejecting what he views as a slippery slope toward dictatorship.
A Nation Divided
The controversy surrounding Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State continues to spark fierce debate. Supporters argue it was necessary to restore order in the crisis-ridden state, but critics, led by Amaechi, see it as a chilling attack on Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
As tensions mount, one question looms large: Is Rivers State just the beginning?
