Politics

PDP Slams Tinubu’s State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers State as Unconstitutional

Published

1 month ago

Mar 19, 2025.

'Rivers of Trouble': PDP Governors Forum Denounces President Tinubu's State of Emergency Declaration

The PDP argues that the president does not have the power to suspend an elected governor.
Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has been nominated by the president to serve as the administrator of Rivers State during this tumultuous period.
Governor Fubara’s whereabouts unknown

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, asserting that the move is unconstitutional.

In response to the prolonged political crisis in the region, Tinubu announced the state of emergency on Tuesday night, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state assembly, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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The PDP argues that the president does not have the power to suspend an elected governor.

Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson, emphasized the alleged unconstitutionality of Tinubu’s actions in a statement that criticized the decision.

Meanwhile, retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has been nominated by the president to serve as the administrator of Rivers State during this tumultuous period.

“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State,” the statement reads.

PDP Slams Tinubu's State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers State as Unconstitutional

Ologunagba said the appointment of an administrator to govern the state is a “clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution”.

“The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on an attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State,” Ologunagba said.

“Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.

“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom

“In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.

PDP Slams Tinubu's State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers State as Unconstitutional

“Mr President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over the government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.