Peter Obi has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s alleged unilateral removal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling it an “unconstitutional overreach” that threatens democracy and the rule of law.
Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, said the action has plunged Nigeria into lawlessness, undoing 26 years of democratic progress.
“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 his grip on power at all costs,” Obi stated.
He described the move as a “degrading backdoor imposition of martial rule” and argued that it was 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,” Obi said.
He urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to resist the move, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent and deepen a “culture of impunity” in Nigeria.
“A new Nigeria is possible!” he concluded.