“Amaechi Urges National Assembly to Reject Tinubu’s ‘Illegal Power Grab’ in Rivers State”

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Amaechi condemned the action as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a blatant violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.” He urged the National Assembly, state governors, and other key stakeholders to reject what he described as an “illegal power grab.”

Amaechi argued that President Tinubu exceeded his constitutional authority by suspending duly elected state officials, citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the impeachment process for a governor. He emphasized that the power to remove a governor should follow this clearly defined process rather than being executed by presidential decree.

“With this singular move, Mr. President has effectively suspended and curtailed democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the very Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold,” Amaechi stated.

The former governor also questioned the legality of Tinubu’s reliance on Section 305 of the Constitution, which allows the President to declare a state of emergency in extreme cases. He argued that while this section empowers the President to take action during a crisis, it does not grant him the authority to “dissolve elected arms of government,” a move Amaechi characterized as unconstitutional.

“The power to dissolve elected officials and to dissolve the legislature is not found in the provisions of Section 305. The President does not possess such powers,” Amaechi added.

He accused certain elements within the political establishment of orchestrating a political takeover in Rivers State, further undermining democratic processes there. Amaechi called on all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, to oppose what he termed an “outrageous violation of democracy.”

“At this unfortunate moment in our nation’s history, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise against this blatant violation of our Constitution and the degradation of our democracy. Mr. President must clearly understand that this illegality cannot be accepted,” he stated.

Amaechi, who once served as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), expressed support for governors who have publicly denounced the suspension. He urged other governors and lawmakers to unite and reject this action, warning that it could lead Nigeria into a “totalitarian regime.”

“This issue extends beyond Rivers State; it concerns the future of Nigeria’s democracy. We must not allow this dangerous precedent to chart a new course for our country,” he cautioned.