Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State House of Assembly.
Amaechi, who previously served as Rivers State Governor and later as Minister of Transportation, expressed deep concern over the development, calling it a blatant disregard for constitutional provisions and a dangerous precedent that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the former governor criticized the President’s action, labeling it a “brazen and unilateral” move that undermines democratic governance in Rivers State.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State,” Amaechi stated.
He insisted that the suspension of the governor and other key government officials in the state lacked constitutional backing, emphasizing that the Nigerian Constitution clearly outlines the process for removing an elected governor.
Furthermore, Amaechi rejected President Tinubu’s reference to Section 305, which governs the declaration of a state of emergency, stating that it does not justify the removal of a sitting governor without due process.
“A democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President. The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast,” Amaechi argued.
The former governor warned that allowing such actions to go unchecked could set a dangerous precedent where federal authorities could arbitrarily remove elected state officials without following due process.
He urged Nigerians, political leaders, and lawmakers to resist what he described as an “unlawful power grab.” According to him, silence in the face of such actions could lead to further erosion of democratic institutions.
“All people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy,” Amaechi declared.
He called on the National Assembly to reject the suspension, stressing that lawmakers have a duty to defend democratic principles and prevent any executive overreach that could undermine state governance.
In addition, Amaechi appealed to state governors across party lines, urging them to take a stand against what he described as a major threat to Nigeria’s federalism and democratic system.
Amaechi’s Full Statement
“Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution—the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold.”
“Section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office. And it does not include a fiat declaration, decree, or promulgation by Mr. President. Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself.”
“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers.”
“The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months point to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.”
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr. President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand.”
“Politicians across divides should speak up and rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality.”
“As a former State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension.”