Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional, reckless, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s 26-year democratic journey.
In a statement posted on X at 7:07 AM GMT on Wednesday, Obi denounced the unilateral removal of Rivers State Governor Similaya Fubara as a dangerous overreach that undermines the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Obi’s statement, asserts that Tinubu’s action plunges Nigeria back into “a state of lawlessness” and risks fostering a culture of impunity. The former governor argued that the declaration, which also involves appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the sole administrator of the state, does not align with democratic norms or good governance. He specifically pointed to Section 305(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which allows the president to proclaim a state of emergency under specific conditions, but claimed Tinubu’s interpretation and implementation were biased and unjustified by the political situation in Rivers State.
“The political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure,” Obi wrote. “This decision appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.”
The declaration has suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months, a move Obi described as an “unconstitutional overreach” and a “backdoor imposition of martial rule” on a strategically important part of the federation. He warned that if unchecked, such actions could push Nigeria toward anarchy and erode the democratic gains made since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
Obi called on the National Assembly and other stakeholders to intervene and prevent the decision from standing, emphasizing that it deepens a “culture of impunity and brigandage already threatening our democracy.” He concluded with his signature optimism, stating, “A new Nigeria is POssible!”
The political crisis in Rivers State, a key oil-producing region in southern Nigeria, has been escalating since October 2023, marked by tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The situation worsened after an attempted impeachment of Fubara by state assembly members, leading to the burning and subsequent demolition of the assembly chambers. President Tinubu’s intervention, including a peace accord in 2023, failed to resolve the underlying disputes, culminating in the recent emergency declaration.
Tinubu invoked Section 305(5) of the constitution to justify the emergency, but critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have echoed Obi’s view that the move is politically motivated and constitutionally questionable. The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as administrator, with limited powers to form regulations subject to federal approval, has further fueled accusations of centralizing power and sidelining elected officials.
As Nigeria grapples with this latest political showdown, Obi’s statement has reignited calls for accountability and adherence to democratic principles, positioning him once again as a vocal opposition figure in the nation’s turbulent political landscape.