Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has accused General Bola Tinubu of undermining democracy by suspending the state’s governor, deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly.
Amaechi, who previously served as Minister of Transport, labeled the move a “dangerous affront” to Nigeria’s constitution in a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday.
The controversy stems from General Tinubu’s Tuesday broadcast, in which he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the entire State House of Assembly for six months. Tinubu also appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, as Sole Administrator, a decision formalized during a swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday. The actions have ignited widespread debate over their legality.
In his statement, Amaechi fiercely criticized Tinubu’s unilateral decision, calling it “brazen” and “reckless.” “I unequivocally condemn the suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by General Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. “With this singular move, the General has effectively suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State, an act that clearly violates the Constitution he swore to uphold.”
Amaechi argued that the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 188, outlines a clear process for removing a state governor—one that does not involve a presidential decree. “A democratically elected governor cannot be ousted by a proclamation from the General,” he asserted. He further noted that even Section 305, which Tinubu referenced to justify the state of emergency, does not grant the authority to suspend elected officials in this manner.
The former governor described the suspensions as a “brazen attempt at a power grab” by individuals lacking constitutional authority, pointing to a broader pattern of orchestrated efforts to impose control over Rivers State. “The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State signals a troubling plot to unconstitutionally force certain persons onto the people,” Amaechi warned.
Calling for resistance, he urged citizens, politicians, state governors, and legislators to oppose what he termed a “rape of our democracy.” Amaechi stressed that General Tinubu must be held accountable for perpetrating an illegality and pressed the National Assembly to reject the move outright. “At this critical juncture in our nation’s journey, all people of goodwill and conscience must rise to halt this audacious violation and prevent our descent into totalitarianism,” he concluded.
