The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional move aimed at undermining democracy.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, rejected the emergency rule, describing it as a violation of the 1999 Constitution and an attempt to impose an unelected government on the people.
“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 opposition party criticized Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara and replace him with retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. PDP argued that this action was an attempt to take control of the state and silence opposition voices.
“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.”
Emergency Rule ‘Lacks Legal Basis’
PDP also questioned the legal foundation of Tinubu’s emergency declaration, insisting that it does not meet constitutional requirements. The party argued that the security situation in Rivers State does not justify such drastic action under the law.
“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 opposition party further accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately fueling the crisis in Rivers as part of a broader strategy to weaken political opposition nationwide.
“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.”
PDP warned that Tinubu’s move is part of a larger effort to suppress opposition politics and impose a one-party system in Nigeria.
“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.”
The party cited Section 305 of the Constitution, stressing that Tinubu lacks the authority to enforce emergency rule without the approval of the National Assembly.
“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.’”
Warning to Vice Admiral Ibas
PDP also cautioned Vice Admiral Ibas, urging him not to accept the appointment or participate in actions that could disrupt democratic governance in Rivers 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 Governor Fubara was elected for a four-year term, which cannot be unlawfully shortened.
“For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged,” Ologunagba stated.
PDP Vows to Challenge the Decision
Vowing to resist the emergency rule, PDP called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and democratic institutions to reject what it described as a dangerous precedent.
“Nigeria is not under a military rule where the governance of a state is by appointment by a junta,” the party stated.
