…alleges President acted Wike’s script
The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling on him to acknowledge his error and immediately reverse the decision.
The Forum described such decision as unconstitutional, dangerous, and a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Forum expressed solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State, vowing to resist any attempt to undermine democratic governance in the state.
The PDP governors accused the President of bias, noting his failure to acknowledge the role played by his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in fueling the political crisis in Rivers.
“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling.
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“He has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive,” the statement read.
The governors warned that the President’s action was a direct attack on democracy and opposition parties, predicting dire consequences for national stability.
“This unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party is today the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country.
“It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard-won democracy but will exacerbate crises across the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and undermine our national cohesion.”
The Forum aligned itself with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has already expressed concern over the President’s suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Citing the NBA’s response, the PDP governors stressed that emergency rule does not grant the President the power to remove elected officials.
“The NBA has affirmed its commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria.
“In their words, ‘A state of emergency is an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits. The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable.’”
The Forum vowed to challenge the President’s action in court, stating that it would seek judicial interpretation of Section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the procedure for declaring a state of emergency.
“This authoritarian shenanigan is unacceptable and cannot stand,” the governors declared.
The PDP governors urged Tinubu to reconsider his decision and restore democratic governance in Rivers State before it is too late.
“Mr. President is therefore called upon to listen to wise counsel and the voice of reason, as well as accept that he made grievous mistakes and acted in haste, and reverse this atrocious and retrograde decision before it is too late.”
The crisis in Rivers State has escalated in recent months, with political tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leading to divisions within the state’s legislature and government.
The declaration of emergency rule and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the state’s administrator has sparked nationwide debate and opposition, with critics warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE