Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has fiercely criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a clear violation of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
The move, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly, has sparked significant political debate.
President Tinubu declared the state of emergency on March 18, 2025, citing worsening political tensions and incidents of pipeline vandalism, including a fire outbreak on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
The President expressed frustration over Governor Fubara’s alleged inaction in handling the situation, prompting the suspension of the state’s executive and legislative arms for a period of six months.
Reacting to the announcement on March 19, 2025, Amaechi condemned the President’s action as “brazen and unilaterally reckless,” asserting that the decision amounted to a complete “suspension and truncation of democracy in Rivers State.”
He maintained that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove or suspend an elected governor and other officials.
“188 of the Nigeria Constitution, clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office”, stating that the law “does not include a fiat declaration, decree of promulgation by President”.
“A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President,” Amaechi declared.
He further described the suspension of the state’s executive and legislative bodies as a “very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy.”
