By Ayomide Otitoju
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 following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Tuesday, announced the emergency rule, citing the prolonged political crisis in the state. As part of the measure, he suspended key state officials and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the administrator for an initial six-month period.
However, Amaechi, who governed Rivers from 2007 to 2015, denounced the move in a statement released Wednesday, describing it as unconstitutional and an attack on Nigeria’s democratic principles. He accused the president of overstepping his authority and urged the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Assembly to reject what he termed a “dangerous affront” on democracy.
“I unequivocally condemn the brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and members of the House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu,” Amaechi said.
He argued that Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution outlines the legal process for removing a state governor and does not grant the president such powers.
“A democratically elected governor cannot be removed from office by a presidential proclamation,” he added. “This move is nothing short of a power grab.”
Amaechi further warned that the development signaled a slide into authoritarianism, urging political leaders across party lines to speak out against what he described as a “rape of democracy.”
His statement comes amid growing opposition to Tinubu’s decision, with some governors and lawmakers voicing concerns over the legality of the emergency rule.
