
Peter Obi has condemned President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and reckless. He warns that the move threatens democracy and violates the 1999 Constitution. Obi urges stakeholders to resist the decision, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for governance and the rule of law.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has denounced the federal government’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent. He warned that the move undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and could erode the rule of law.
Obi argued that the emergency rule, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials, was an abuse of executive power. He insisted that Rivers State was not in a crisis that warranted such extreme measures and accused President Bola Tinubu of using emergency powers to tighten control over the state.
“This is a direct assault on democracy,” Obi stated on social media. “Unilaterally removing an elected governor under the guise of an emergency is reckless and dangerous. It undermines the progress we’ve made as a democratic nation.”
He urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to intervene and prevent what he described as an unconstitutional overreach. According to Obi, allowing the emergency rule to stand would set a troubling precedent for future political interference.
His comments add to growing opposition against the decision, with political leaders and legal experts questioning its legality. Many argue that the government’s actions violate constitutional provisions and could destabilize Nigeria’s fragile democracy.