The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, stating that the president has no power to suspend a democratically elected governor. It warned that the emergency rule is a recipe for political chaos in Nigeria.
The party stated this in a statement on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday in a national broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers suspending both the legislative and executive arms of the state for six months, as part of efforts to restore peace in Rivers.
The main opposition party, however, described Mr Tinubu’s action as an “utter violation” of the 1999 Constitution.
“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the president to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the state.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) to govern the state is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy,” said the PDP.
It called the emergency rule an “abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.”
The party also described it as a clear attempt at state capture and a well-oiled plot to take over Rivers for the All Progressives Congress forcefully, claiming that the reasons adduced by Mr Tinubu could not justify the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.
The PDP said the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers was part of a plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate the opposition and impose a one-party state.
“Mr President should recognise 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 PDP warned.
It added, “The PDP, therefore, cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic governance in Rivers state.
“Nigeria is not under a military rule where the governance of a state is by appointment by a junta.”
