The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, asserting that he lacks the constitutional authority to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba condemned the action, describing it as unconstitutional and a direct breach of the 1999 Constitution.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), to govern the state is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy,” Ologunagba stated.
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately inciting instability in Rivers State as part of a calculated attempt to seize control of the state through undemocratic means.
“The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on an attempt at state capture,” he added. “It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State, for which the APC has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the state.”
The PDP also raised concerns that the emergency rule in Rivers was part of a larger agenda to weaken opposition parties and consolidate power under a single-party system.
“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-party state, and turn the country into a fiefdom.”
Ologunagba further argued that the President’s actions failed to comply with constitutional procedures, particularly Section 305, which mandates National Assembly approval for any declaration of emergency.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that ‘The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives… to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation,’” he emphasized.
The PDP has called for an immediate reversal of the emergency declaration, warning that such a move threatens democratic governance in Nigeria.
