- The ex- Rivers governor criticised the suspension of Governor Fubara and others, stating it was unconstitutional and an overreach of presidential powers.
- Amaechi argued that Nigeria’s Constitution does not permit a state governor’s removal through a presidential decree or unilateral decision.
The former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a threat to democracy.
Amaechi, who previously governed Rivers State, also condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly as reckless, urging the National Assembly to oppose it.
In a statement personally signed and titled ‘My Immediate Reaction To The Undemocratic, Unconstitutional, Suspension Of Elected State Officials In Rivers State.’
The statement reads, “Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He further stated that “With this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.”
Amaechi referenced Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, saying it outlines the lawful process for removing a state governor, which does not include “a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President.”
He maintained that a governor elected by the people cannot be removed by a presidential order. He further argued that suspending key state officials violated Section 305, which the President had cited as justification.
He also stated that “The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers. The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.”
According to him, at such a critical time, all well-meaning Nigerians must stand against what he called an attack on democracy. He insisted that “Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.”
Amaechi urged respected Nigerians, particularly the Nigerian Governors Forum, to intervene and “reverse the unlawful actions” taken by the President.
He also appealed to political figures, governors, and lawmakers across the country to speak up and reject what he described as an illegal act.
He noted that “As a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors who have spoken against the unlawful suspension.”
Concluding, Amaechi asserted that the suspension was a serious violation of both Nigeria’s democratic principles and its constitutional framework.
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