Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has issued a scathing statement denouncing the National Assembly’s approval of General Bola Tinubu’s unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing the 10th Assembly of acting as a rubber stamp for the executive.
In his statement titled “My Stance on the Declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State,” Kwankwaso reflected on past legislative failures, recalling how the National Assembly’s focus on internal leadership battles in 1992/93 distracted it from checking executive overreach, leading to the 1993 election annulment. He drew parallels to the current situation, noting his initial reluctance to comment was rooted in hope that authorities and conflicting parties would act justly.
Kwankwaso expressed dismay at General Tinubu’s unilateral suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state legislators. He criticized the National Assembly for hastily endorsing this move, calling it a betrayal of its duty to hold the executive accountable. “It is appalling to see this 10th Assembly become more rubberstamp than any of its predecessors,” he remarked, highlighting the use of a voice vote—rather than a transparent process—as a violation of constitutional norms under Section 305(1).
He argued that the rapid decision to impose a state of emergency and dismantle Rivers’ democratic leadership structure undermines Nigeria’s democracy. Kwankwaso urged the judiciary to intervene fairly, free from external pressures, to restore balance and calm tensions. He labeled Tinubu’s actions unconstitutional and a potential trigger for anarchy, especially given the appointment of a military figure to lead the state—a move he deemed dangerous to Nigeria’s 26-year democratic progress. “Bola Tinubu should know better than bringing the military closer to power after President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts to confine them to barracks,” he warned.
Kwankwaso further cautioned that this precedent could destabilize opposition-led states, fostering a culture of impunity if left unchecked. He maintained that the political crisis in Rivers does not warrant such an extreme measure, describing it as an “unconstitutional overdrive” that threatens democratic integrity.
