Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has strongly condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling it 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. Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
Reacting via his 𝕏 handle on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, accused Tinubu of trampling on democracy and undermining the rule of law. He described the president’s action as a dangerous overreach that could set a troubling precedent.
His full statement reads:
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi 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 urged lawmakers and stakeholders to reject the decision, warning that allowing it to stand would weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions and set a dangerous precedent for future governance.
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