In a scathing rebuke, Peter Obi has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s unilateral decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effectively removing Governor Similaya Fubara from office. Obi described the move as “unconstitutional” and “reckless,” warning that it threatens to undo 26 years of democratic progress in Nigeria ¹.
According to Obi, the President’s actions demonstrate a “dangerous willingness to trample on democracy” and disregard the rule of law. The declaration of a state of emergency, Obi argued, is not justified by the political situation on the ground in Rivers and constitutes a biased interpretation of the 1999 constitution ².
Obi emphasized that a state of emergency does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove an elected Governor. This decision, he warned, sets a “dangerous precedent” that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. If left unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity and push Nigeria towards “a state of nature and anarchy” ³.
In a call to action, Obi appealed to the National Assembly and all stakeholders to intervene and prevent this unconstitutional overreach. He reiterated his optimism for a better future, stating, “A new Nigeria is possible!”
