Fubara Under Fire: Political Figures React To Rivers State Emergency

Political Heavyweights Speak Out Against Rivers State Emergency

Listen up, folks: The political landscape in Nigeria just got a whole lot more interesting. Former Minister Osita Chidoka, former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, and human rights lawyer Effiong Inibehe have all chimed in on the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Let me break it down for you.

According to Naija News, President Bola Tinubu made the bold move to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State this past Tuesday. Not only that, but he also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly. Now, that’s a big deal. In response, Governor Fubara issued a statement explaining that he was simply trying to follow the Supreme Court's ruling. However, his efforts were thwarted by the House of Assembly, which, let’s just say, wasn’t exactly on his side. They were reportedly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, creating quite the political showdown.

Osita Chidoka Questions the President’s Authority

Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, wasn’t shy about voicing his concerns. He took to his 𝕏 handle to challenge the President’s authority to remove a governor, citing the Nigerian Constitution. Chidoka emphasized that, “The federal republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.” It’s a strong statement that raises serious questions about the legality of Tinubu’s actions.

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Omoyele Sowore Calls for Tinubu’s Removal

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, representing the African Action Congress (AAC), had some fiery words of his own. He used his 𝕏 platform to rally citizens to demand President Tinubu’s removal from office. Sowore argued, “A state of emergency should be declared on the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime, and Nigerians must recognize that the time for such action is now.” His message was clear: the people need to take a stand against what he sees as an abuse of power.

Effiong Inibehe Breaks Down the Legalities

And then there’s constitutional lawyer Effiong Inibehe, who delivered a detailed legal analysis of the situation. According to Inibehe, President Tinubu simply does not have the constitutional authority or power to suspend the Governor of Rivers State or the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He pointed out that the emergency powers granted to the President under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution and the Emergency Powers Act 1961 do not include the authority to remove a governor.

Inibehe further explained, “Under the present constitutional regime, an elected state governor can only cease to hold office by impeachment, resignation, permanent incapacitation, death, or by expiration of tenure. Any attempt to remove an elected state governor under the guise of declaring a so-called ‘full state of emergency’ is unconstitutional. While such actions were taken in Plateau State during the Olusegun Obasanjo era, they remain illegal under the current legal framework.”

To sum it all up, the situation in Rivers State has become a hot-button issue, with political figures and legal experts alike questioning the President’s actions. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the Nigerian political scene is far from boring. Stay tuned for more developments as this story unfolds.