Opposition leaders, including former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have called on the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Atiku criticized the move, accusing Tinubu of misusing Section 305 of the Constitution to serve partisan interests under the guise of restoring order.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately withdraw this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the duly elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Atiku stated.
He further urged lawmakers to reject the proposal when it comes before them, warning that approving it would amount to legitimizing an unconstitutional power grab.
“The National Assembly must choose to stand on the right side of history and resist being used to validate this unconstitutional action,” he added.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a prolonged political crisis stemming from the power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, leading to a governance impasse in the oil-rich state.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the need to restore order. The decision led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas was appointed as the state’s interim administrator.
Following the announcement, military personnel reportedly took control of the Government House in Port Harcourt. While Governor Fubara called for calm, the Rivers State House of Assembly publicly endorsed the President’s decision.
Other key figures at the press briefing included Peter Obi’s representative, Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh; and Segun Showunmi, convener of The Alternative.
Apologies were announced on behalf of former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), as well as former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, who could not attend.
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