Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s “unilateral decision” to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months, calling it an “unconstitutional and reckless move.”
On Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state’s assembly.
Reacting to the announcement, Obi argued that Tinubu’s actions have plunged Nigeria back into a “state of lawlessness” and severely undermined the progress made in the country’s 26-year democratic journey.
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless,” Obi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. “It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, undoing the progress we’ve made in these 26 years of democratic development.”
Obi accused Tinubu of disregarding the rule of law and displaying a “dangerous willingness to trample on democracy.”
He argued that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was an attempt to return the country to a “state of nature” and tighten Tinubu’s hold on power.
Obi emphasized that the Constitution does not allow for the unilateral removal of an elected governor under a state of emergency, stressing that Tinubu’s decision runs counter to democratic norms.
“It is a degrading backdoor imposition of martial law on a key part of the federation, with all its negative consequences,” he stated. “The political situation in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is a misapplication of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.”
Obi further noted that a state of emergency does not permit the removal of an elected official without due process, accusing the president of pursuing a decision driven by personal interests rather than the collective good of Rivers State or Nigeria.
“This action represents an unconstitutional overreach and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers,” he warned. “If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity.”
The former Anambra State governor urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to intervene, urging them not to allow Tinubu’s suspension to stand.
“After already struggling with electoral malpractices and rigging, the arbitrary removal of elected officials could push Nigeria toward a state of anarchy,” Obi stated. “I appeal to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to let this stand, as it deepens the culture of impunity and undermines our democracy.”
