Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. 

President Bola Tinubu has sworn-in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (RTD.), into office for the next six months.

Rt. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of the state, said : “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.” Tinubu swore Ibas into office at about 03:00 pm at the State House, Abuja.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila., the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

On Tuesday, Tinubu in a national broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Rotimi Amaechi, who was governor of oil-rich Rivers State, from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, pointed out that with this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State.

He said :” This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution, clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President.

Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President.

The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.

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.

At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy.

Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.

Politicians across divides should speak up; rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. 

I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality. 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 that have spoken against the unlawful suspension. The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Amaechi described the move as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.

”He called on the National Assembly, state governors, and stakeholders to reject what he termed an “illegal power grab.

”Amaechi argued that President Tinubu had overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending elected state officials.

Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, he emphasized that a governor can only be removed through a clearly defined impeachment process, not by presidential decree.

“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 stated.

He further questioned Tinubu’s use of Section 305, which allows the President to declare a state of emergency, arguing that it does not grant him the power to “dissolve elected arms of government.

”The former Rivers governor accused certain forces of orchestrating a political takeover in the state.

He urged governors, lawmakers, and Nigerians across political divides to resist what he described as an “audacious violation of democracy.”

“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy.

Mr. President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand,” he declared.

Amaechi, who previously served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), commended governors who had spoken out against the suspension.

He urged others to join in rejecting the move and preventing “Nigeria’s descent into totalitarianism.

”The statement comes amid mixed reactions to Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration in Rivers State.

While some argue it was necessary to restore stability, others, like Amaechi, view it as a dangerous precedent that threatens democratic governance.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt along with his family and security details.

Fubara reportedly left the seat of power on Wednesday morning, according to a close source who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak on the issue.

Security at the Government House remains sparse, although the two Armoured Personnel Carriers seen on Tuesday night in front of the premises are still stationed there with a handful of security operatives.

Meanwhile,  preparations are being made to receive the Administrator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to oversee the state for the next six months, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd).