Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, describing it as a constitutional mistake that will hurt Nigeria’s democracy for years to come.
Obi said the suspension of democratic processes in Rivers State during the political crisis was a misstep that should never have happened, and warned that such actions weaken democratic institutions and public trust in leadership.
Speaking on Wednesday through a statement shared on his official platform, Obi said the political impasse in Rivers led to needless disruption of governance and inflicted hardship on the people. He called the intervention by President Bola Tinubu’s administration a constitutional breach that undermines the rule of law.
“The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today. It was a constitutional breach that will hurt our democracy for a long time,” Obi said.
The Rivers crisis began in early 2025 following a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The situation escalated into open confrontation, leading to a divided House of Assembly and legislative paralysis.
In March 2025, President Tinubu ordered the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, under Section 11(4) of the Constitution, citing breakdown of law and order. This effectively suspended local legislative functions until peace was restored.
Obi, however, believes the federal intervention set a dangerous precedent. He said true leadership means acknowledging mistakes, learning from them, and taking steps to correct them.
“A true leader is the one who admits mistakes, is smart enough to learn from them, and is strong enough to correct them,” he added.
Obi congratulated the people of Rivers State for enduring the crisis and urged all political actors to put the past behind them and focus on peace and good governance.
He also appealed directly to Governor Fubara, members of the House of Assembly, and all stakeholders in the state to work together and rebuild trust for the good of the people.
“A new Nigeria is possible and inevitable,” Obi concluded.
