Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has strongly opposed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. Amaechi accused the president of using the move to intimidate governors who may not support his reelection in 2027.
On March 18, President Tinubu announced the emergency rule in Rivers, citing political instability and vandalism of oil facilities as key reasons. The decision led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months. The president then appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state.
However, this move has sparked widespread criticism. Many, including civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have questioned the legality of Tinubu’s actions, arguing that it violates constitutional provisions.
In an interview with DW Africa, Amaechi expressed his disapproval, claiming that the emergency rule was politically motivated. He suggested that the president was setting a precedent to intimidate other governors who might not align with him ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It is between the president and the FCT minister. The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027. So, there is a rumour everywhere that if you are not careful, the president will remove you,” Amaechi stated.
He also questioned the justification for the emergency rule, pointing out that insecurity exists in other parts of the country, including the North-East, North-West, South-East, and South-West. Amaechi argued that if insecurity was the reason for the declaration, similar measures should be imposed in other troubled regions.
He further noted that security responsibility lies with the president, not the governor, and criticized Tinubu’s decision to remove an elected governor under unclear circumstances. According to Amaechi, the constitution outlines specific ways a governor can be removed, such as resignation, impeachment, or death, but does not grant the president the power to arbitrarily take such action.
“The president acted outside the Constitution. Section 188 states how a governor can leave office, either by death, resignation, or impeachment. It didn’t say that one day you wake up and a man called the president of Nigeria will throw you out of office, which makes democracy unstable,” he stated.
Amaechi also urged Rivers State residents to oppose the president’s decision through democratic protests. He called on the people to stand against what he described as an attack on democracy.
Regarding the ongoing political feud between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, Amaechi suggested that the conflict was largely about financial disputes rather than governance. He noted that corruption in Nigeria is often overlooked, as many people do not question political disagreements or demand transparency.
“We are now denied democracy. Rivers State is the only state in the country currently not enjoying democracy. They have imposed military rule on us,” Amaechi stated.
