Peter Obi Slams Rivers Emergency Rule as ‘Unconstitutional, Reckless’
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “unconstitutional and reckless.”
Obi accused Tinubu of undermining democracy and disregarding the rule of law, describing the move as a dangerous attempt to consolidate power.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a blatant assault on democracy that threatens our 26 years of progress,” Obi stated on X.
He argued that the political situation in Rivers does not justify suspending Governor Siminlayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers, calling it a biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“A state of emergency does not grant the president unilateral powers to remove an elected governor. This is an unconstitutional overreach that sets a dangerous precedent, eroding democracy and the rule of law,” he added.
Obi urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to reject the emergency rule, warning that allowing it to stand would deepen impunity and threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
