Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as unconstitutional and reckless.
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday evening, citing the need to restore law and order. This led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six months. As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
Reacting via his 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, criticized Tinubu’s decision, warning that it poses a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law. He called on the National Assembly and other stakeholders to reject the move.
His statement reads:
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Similaya Fubara of Rivers State from office has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.
“By disregarding the rule of law, the President has shown a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs.
“It is a degrading back-door imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation with all the implied negatives. The political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is also a biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.
“This action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity.
“Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.
“I appeal to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow this to stand, as it only deepens the culture of impunity and brigand already threatening our democracy.”
Obi maintained that the political situation in Rivers did not warrant such drastic action and warned that it could set a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy.
The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Similaya Fubara of Rivers State from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless.
It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) March 19, 2025
