The Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has condemned the removal and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, declaring it as unconstitutional and illegal.
Obi noted that the decision was unilateral by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu having ignored the inputs of the National Assembly.
He said the decision has plunged us backward, by deeply ignoring the tenets of democracy which depends on rule of law to operate.
The former Governor of Anambra state said the removal of the Governor while misinterpreting the constitution in section 305(1) is extreme and reckless.
Peter Obi stated this in a statement on his social media handle on the 19th of March 2025.
He states: “The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi 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 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.”
Recall that on the 18th of March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a nationwide broadcast declaring the a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok ete Ibas Rtd as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to administer the state for six months.
Many leaders including SANS, Nigeria Bar Association NBA and prominent politicians have condemned the act, DDM News gathered.