The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “unconstitutional and reckless.” Obi accused Tinubu of undermining the rule of law and exhibiting a dangerous willingness to erode democracy.
Obi argued, “The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it represents a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and to tighten control over power at any cost. This move has set us back into a state of lawlessness, undoing the progress made over 26 years of democratic growth.”
He further described the imposition as a “degrading backdoor imposition of martial law” in a strategically important part of the country, with all its negative implications. In a statement on Wednesday via X, Obi emphasized that the political situation in Rivers does not warrant emergency rule or the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers. He also criticized the biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Obi stated, “A state of emergency does not justify the unilateral removal of an elected Governor. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it seems to serve specific interests rather than the collective welfare of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.”
He further warned that the action is an unconstitutional overreach that sets a dangerous precedent, threatening democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. Obi stressed that if unchecked, it could lead to a culture of impunity.
Obi concluded by appealing to the National Assembly and other stakeholders to reject the emergency rule warning that allowing it to stand would deepen impunity and pose a serious threat to democracy
