The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and reckless.
Obi accused the President of undermining the rule of law and displaying a troubling disregard for democracy.
“This declaration is not just reckless; it is an alarming attempt to erode democratic principles and tighten control at all costs. It reverses the progress we have made in 26 years of democracy and plunges the nation into a state of lawlessness,” Obi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
Obi argued that the political crisis in Rivers does not warrant such extreme measures, condemning the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers. He also criticized what he described as a misinterpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Declaring a state of emergency does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove an elected governor. This move contradicts democratic norms and good governance,” he said.
According to Obi, the decision appears politically motivated rather than being in the best interests of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Obi further warned that this action represents a constitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine democracy, weaken the rule of law, and threaten the separation of powers.
“If this goes unchecked, it will encourage impunity and weaken our democracy. We are already struggling with electoral irregularities, and now, the arbitrary removal of elected officials only deepens the crisis, pushing us toward chaos,” he cautioned.
