President Tinubu has come under heavy backlash and criticism by The peoples Democratic Party PDP for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers state.
PDP has described this declaration by Tinubu as an “unconstitutional power grab” directed at destroying the democracy in the state.
The PDP made this known in a statement signed by its National publicity secretary Debo Hon, Ologunagba on Tuesday following Governor Fubara’s reaction to the suspension and state of emergency declaration in the state. The statement stressed that this attempt to force an unelected government on Rivers people is an outright violation of the 1999 constitution.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay to the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution, pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State.”
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.”
The statement by the PDP further blamed the All progressive congress for intentionally worsening the political crisis in the state as part of the plan to eliminate opposition across Nigeria and take over Rivers state by force.
“It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State, for which the APC has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State.”
Following this, the PDP declared the emergency rule incompetent
“Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.”
The party alleged that the move was part of a larger plan to “foist a siege mentality across Nigeria” and erode political plurality, giving way for “a totalitarian one-party state.”
“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate the opposition, impose a totalitarian one-party state, and turn the country into a fiefdom,” it added.
PDP stated that the Tinubu did not posses the sole power to declare a state of emergency without approval from the national assembly. It stated “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that ‘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.’”
Additionally, the statement also contained a stern warning directed at Vice Admiral Ibas, the newly appointed administrator of the state.
“Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.”
The party reminded Nigerians that Fubara was elected for a four-year tenure, which cannot be unconstitutionally abridged.
“For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged,”
The PDP further swore to fight against any attempt to stifle the democracy in Rivers state, urging Rivers people to stand against what they perceive to be “a dangerous precedent.”
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