Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has fiercely criticized General Bola Tinubu’s unilateral removal of Rivers State Governor Similaya Fubara, calling it an unconstitutional and reckless act that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi warned that this decision reverses 26 years of democratic progress and plunges the nation into lawlessness. By ignoring constitutional processes and the rule of law, he argued, Tinubu has demonstrated a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy in pursuit of power.
The former Anambra governor also condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a covert attempt to impose martial rule. He asserted that the political situation in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and that Tinubu’s interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution is biased and self-serving.
“A state of emergency does not give the General (President) the power to unilaterally remove an elected governor,” Obi emphasized, adding that the move undermines democratic principles and good governance. Rather than serving the collective good of the people, he believes the action is a calculated political maneuver designed to tighten the government’s grip on power.
Obi further warned that Nigeria is already grappling with widespread violations of electoral laws, including non-adherence to qualifications, election rigging, and disregard for due process. Adding the arbitrary removal of elected officials to this mix, he argued, will only push the country closer to a state of nature and anarchy.
In light of this, Obi made a passionate appeal to the National Assembly and all democratic stakeholders to resist this unconstitutional act. “If we allow this to stand, it will only deepen the culture of impunity and brigandage already threatening our democracy,” he stated.
He called on all Nigerians to stand against any actions that erode democratic values, warning that unchecked executive overreach could set a dangerous precedent with lasting consequences for the country’s stability and governance.
