The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently opposed the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State, asserting that President Bola Tinubu’s action is unconstitutional and an infringement on the democratic rights of the state’s people.
The party argued that the president does not possess the legal authority to suspend the democratically elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara, or to appoint an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), as the state administrator.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba condemned Tinubu’s decision, claiming that it violates the 1999 Constitution. According to Ologunagba, the president’s proclamation undermines the democratic process and the rights of the people of Rivers State to elect their leader.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu to suspend the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and to appoint an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd), is a blatant attack on our nation’s democracy,” Ologunagba said. “This action represents a clear violation of the Constitution and an abrogation of the votes and democratic rights of the people of Rivers State.”
The PDP spokesman further criticized the declaration as part of a broader attempt to undermine the state’s democratic structure, claiming it was part of a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to seize control of Rivers State through crisis and political maneuvering.
“It is the culmination of a well-orchestrated plan to forcefully take over Rivers State, with the APC seeking to stoke crisis in order to truncate democracy in the state,” Ologunagba stated. “This is an unwarranted imposition of emergency rule and a dangerous move to create a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, and turn the country into a totalitarian one-party state.”
The PDP also raised concerns over the president’s legal justification for declaring a state of emergency, referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. According to the party, the constitution mandates that the president must seek the approval of the National Assembly for such a declaration.
“For clarity, Section 305 (2) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates 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,'” Ologunagba emphasized.
The PDP’s rejection of the state of emergency in Rivers State underscores the deepening political divide in the country, with tensions rising over the role of federal authority in state governance and the protection of democratic principles.
