Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to remove Governor Similaya Fubara of Rivers State from office. Obi, taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, described the move as “unconstitutional and reckless,” warning that it threatens to undermine Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, which included the removal of Governor Fubara, has sparked widespread outrage, especially from opposition parties and civil rights groups. Obi’s statement further adds to the growing criticism of President Tinubu’s actions, claiming that the declaration of emergency in the state marks a dangerous step backward for Nigeria’s democracy, which has made progress over the past 26 years.
In his post on social media, Obi expressed strong disapproval of President Tinubu’s unilateral decision, stating that it “plunged us back into a state of lawlessness” and undoing years of progress made in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Obi argued that the declaration of a state of emergency and the removal of an elected governor violated the Constitution and was a “reckless” exercise of power by the president.
Obi emphasized that, under Nigeria’s Constitution, a state of emergency does not grant the president the authority to remove an elected governor without justifiable cause. He argued that the political situation in Rivers State did not warrant such an extreme and drastic measure. According to Obi, the move by the president appeared to be a “biased interpretation” of the Constitution and seemed to serve specific political interests rather than the interests of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Similaya Fubara of Rivers State from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless,” Obi stated. “It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.”
The Labour Party leader raised significant concerns about the broader implications of such actions on Nigeria’s democracy. He pointed out that disregarding the rule of law in this manner set a dangerous precedent that could potentially erode the foundations of democratic governance.
Obi further warned that by invoking a state of emergency, the president was essentially creating a pathway for the return of martial rule, which would tighten the grip of the government on power at any cost. “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 its grip on power at all costs,” he remarked.
He expressed fear that this action was a deliberate move toward undermining democratic norms and creating an environment where elected officials could be removed without due process. Obi warned that if the action was allowed to stand, it could set a dangerous precedent for the future and threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The situation in Rivers State, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, has been politically charged for some time. Governor Similaya Fubara, who assumed office in 2023, has faced numerous challenges, including accusations of election irregularities and a heated rivalry between political factions in the state. However, the declaration of a state of emergency in the state has sparked controversy, with many questioning the legal and constitutional justification for the president’s actions.
While the Rivers State political environment has experienced tension, particularly surrounding allegations of electoral malpractice, Obi believes that this does not warrant such an extreme action as the removal of an elected governor. He described the political instability in the state as something that should be resolved through constitutional means, rather than through the imposition of emergency powers that undermine the democratic process.
“The political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is also a biased interpretation of section 305(1) of the 1999 constitution,” Obi explained in his statement.
One of Obi’s central concerns was the potential for the president’s actions to foster a culture of impunity in the country. He warned that such a move could set a dangerous precedent, where elected officials could be removed arbitrarily by the government, regardless of their mandate. According to Obi, this would deepen the culture of impunity and lawlessness already threatening Nigeria’s democratic system.
“If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity,” Obi added, “Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.”
Obi warned that this situation could lead to greater instability in the country, as Nigerians would no longer trust the electoral system or the rule of law. In his view, the arbitrary removal of elected officials would undermine the credibility of the Nigerian government and further weaken public faith in democratic processes.
In a final appeal, Obi urged the National Assembly and all other stakeholders to intervene and ensure that the president’s decision is reversed. He asked lawmakers and political leaders to take a stand against what he termed an unconstitutional move that threatened the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
“I appeal to the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow this to stand,” Obi concluded. “This only deepens the culture of impunity and brigandage already threatening our democracy.”
The call from Obi comes at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is highly polarized. As the country continues to grapple with issues of electoral integrity, governance, and political stability, Obi’s statement calls attention to the growing concerns about the abuse of power by the executive arm of government.
The situation in Rivers State continues to develop, and the decision to impose a state of emergency is expected to be a topic of intense debate in the coming days. Legal experts, political analysts, and civil society groups are expected to weigh in on whether the president’s actions were within the bounds of the Constitution.
For now, the political future of Rivers State and its governor, Similaya Fubara, hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s move has brought attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law. With political tensions running high, it remains to be seen how this crisis will evolve and whether Nigeria’s democratic institutions will be able to withstand the pressure.
The case in Rivers serves as a crucial test for the nation’s democracy, as the country moves forward in its journey toward strengthening democratic governance. The outcome of this situation may have lasting implications for the future of political stability in Nigeria.
