PDP Rejects State of Emergency in Rivers, Accuses Tinubu of Unconstitutional Overreach

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as an unconstitutional power grab.

In a strongly worded statement issued by Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the party accused the President of exercising powers beyond his constitutional mandate by attempting to remove a democratically elected governor and impose an unelected sole administrator on a PDP-controlled state.

"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 State."

The party condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and 27 lawmakers, stating that it was a clear attack on Nigeria’s democracy and an attempt to forcefully take over Rivers State.

The PDP further alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been deliberately engineering a crisis in Rivers State to create an excuse for taking control of the oil-rich state.

"The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), is an abrogation of the votes and democratic rights of the people of Rivers State."

The PDP also warned that this "unwarranted imposition of emergency rule" is part of a broader plan to: Suppress opposition parties, create a one-party system in Nigeria and Intimidate critics and consolidate power

According to the party, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which the President relied on to declare the emergency, does not grant him the exclusive power to remove an elected governor without the approval of the National Assembly.

"The President’s directive to an unelected individual to take over the governance of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis that threatens peace and stability—not just in Rivers, but across Nigeria."

The opposition party further cautioned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) against taking any steps that would derail democratic governance in Rivers State.

"Nigeria is not under military rule where a state governor is appointed by a junta. Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a four-year tenure that cannot be unconstitutionally abridged."

With the political tension in Rivers State escalating, the PDP has called on Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to resist any move that undermines democracy in the country.