The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, labelling the move as unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State. The opposition party also argued that Tinubu’s decision to suspend the democratically elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara and replace him with an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), represents a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP condemned the action as an overreach by the President, which violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The party pointed out that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, which President Tinubu claimed was due to political unrest and vandalization of pipelines, was not backed by the constitutional grounds necessary for such a declaration.
The PDP insisted that the political unrest in Rivers State, although concerning, does not meet the criteria outlined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to justify a state of emergency. Section 305 of the Constitution outlines strict conditions for declaring a state of emergency, including situations like war, external aggression, or a breakdown of law and order that cannot be addressed through regular legal means.
According to the PDP, the political disagreements in Rivers State do not rise to the level required by the Constitution. The party argued that the crisis in the state, although serious, could have been resolved through legal and democratic means, including through the courts, rather than the imposition of emergency rule.
The party further stressed that the President’s decision to suspend Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly goes beyond the limits of executive power, calling it a direct violation of the democratic choice made by the people of Rivers State. “Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years, and this tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged,” the statement read.
The PDP did not stop at rejecting the state of emergency; it also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a broader scheme to take control of Rivers State. The opposition party described the state of emergency as part of a larger plot to dismantle opposition parties and impose a one-party rule in Nigeria.
The PDP’s statement read: “This is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic rights of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution. This move is part of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State and stoke crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the state.”
The PDP further warned that the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers could have dangerous implications for Nigeria as a whole. The party expressed concerns that such actions might spread to other states, eroding democratic institutions across the country. According to the party, this is a strategy to create a “siege mentality,” which would decimate opposition parties and establish a totalitarian one-party state.
The PDP also emphasized that President Tinubu’s action is not only politically dangerous but legally flawed. The party highlighted that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution clearly states that a proclamation of emergency rule requires approval from the National Assembly. The Constitution stipulates that after the President’s declaration, the details of the emergency must be sent to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a resolution within a set period.
Section 305(2) of the Constitution states: “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation.”
The PDP emphasized that the President’s action to suspend a democratically elected governor and appoint an unelected individual without the approval of the National Assembly is illegal. The party warned that such actions could have catastrophic consequences for the country’s democracy and stability.
In light of these constitutional violations, the PDP cautioned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the new appointee to head the state, to respect the Constitution and refrain from taking any actions that could undermine democratic governance in Rivers State. The party reminded Ibas that Nigeria is not under military rule, and the governance of states must be carried out in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in free and fair elections.
“The PDP cautions Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic governance in Rivers State. Nigeria is not under a military rule where the governance of a state is by appointment by a junta,” the statement declared.
The PDP’s call for respect for the Constitution reflects a broader commitment to protecting the democratic process in Nigeria. The party has consistently stood against what it sees as authoritarian tendencies in the current administration, and the party’s reaction to the declaration of emergency in Rivers is part of this broader defense of Nigeria’s democratic values.
As the situation in Rivers continues to unfold, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the National Assembly will play a role in approving or rejecting the state of emergency. The PDP has made it clear that it expects the legislative body to uphold the Constitution and reject any attempt to legitimize the unconstitutional removal of elected officials.
Rivers State has been at the center of political tension for several months, with tensions between the state government, the legislature, and the ruling party at the federal level. The APC’s ongoing attempts to unseat Governor Fubara have raised concerns about the political stability of the state and its impact on the broader political landscape in Nigeria.
The question now is whether President Tinubu’s declaration will spark further unrest or if constitutional checks and balances will prevail to restore order and ensure that the will of the people of Rivers State is respected.
