Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling the move an “illegal power grab” that he believes cannot stand.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, Amaechi, who served as the Governor of Rivers State for eight years, condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. President Tinubu suspended the state officials for six months on Tuesday, citing political tensions in the state. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Sole Administrator for the state.
Amaechi described the actions as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution,” calling for the National Assembly, state governors, and stakeholders to reject the emergency rule.
“The President has overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending elected state officials,” Amaechi said. He emphasized that Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution clearly defines how a governor can be removed, which does not include a presidential decree.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold,” Amaechi asserted.
The former Minister further criticized Tinubu’s invocation of Section 305, which grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency, arguing that this section does not grant the authority to dissolve elected arms of government.
Amaechi accused certain forces of orchestrating a political takeover in Rivers State, warning that the action could lead Nigeria into a path toward totalitarianism.
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy,” he declared.
He also commended governors who have spoken out against the suspension and urged others to join in rejecting the move to prevent the erosion of democratic principles in the country.
“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at a power grab by forces and persons who do not have such constitutional powers,” Amaechi said. “The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months point to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally impose themselves on the people.”
Amaechi called for unity among politicians across all divides to oppose what he called an unconstitutional act. He urged the National Assembly to reject the actions, stressing that the suspension poses a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“As a former State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors can play in halting this descent and reversing the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension. The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.”
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