Opposition leaders, including former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, have called on the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Speaking at a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Atiku accused President Tinubu of abusing Section 305 of the Constitution and pursuing partisan interests under the guise of restoring order in the state.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately withdraw this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the duly elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Atiku said.
He further called on lawmakers to oppose the move when it comes before the National Assembly for approval, warning that endorsing it would amount to legitimizing a power grab.
“The National Assembly must choose to stand on the right side of history and resist being used to validate this unconstitutional action,” he added.
Rivers State has faced prolonged political tension following a power tussle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis has caused a governance impasse in the oil-rich state.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency, citing the need to restore order.
He suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas was appointed as the state administrator.
Soon after the announcement, military personnel reportedly took control of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
While Governor Fubara called for calm, the Rivers State House of Assembly publicly backed the President’s decision.
Other notable figures present at the press briefing included Peter Obi (represented by Yunusa Tanko), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) National Secretary Peter Ahmeh, and Segun Showunmi, convener of The Alternative.
Apologies from former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu were also announced during the briefing.
More updates to follow…