The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, rejecting what it describes as an unconstitutional takeover of a democratically elected governor.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the PDP accused Tinubu of violating the 1999 Constitution by attempting to override the will of Rivers people through the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas to govern the state.
The party labeled Tinubu’s move as a blatant attack on democracy, warning that it was part of a broader plot to undermine opposition parties and impose a one-party system across Nigeria.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.
“The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on an attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the state,” the PDP stated.
The party further argued that the security situation in Rivers did not justify the imposition of emergency rule and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately fueling the crisis to gain control of the state.
Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the PDP emphasized that Tinubu lacked the sole authority to declare a state of emergency without the approval of the National Assembly. The party warned that any attempt to enforce the directive without legislative backing would be considered illegal and a direct threat to national stability.
“Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged. The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) 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 military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.
The PDP called on Nigerians and the international community to resist what it described as a return to authoritarian rule, insisting that Nigeria remains a democracy, not a military dictatorship.
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