Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to lift the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly, saying the action remains unconstitutional and undemocratic.
On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis between Fubara and lawmakers aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. He suspended the governor, deputy governor Ngozi Odu, and the Assembly for six months, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
The move drew mixed reactions, with critics labeling it unconstitutional, while others considered it necessary. Fubara later met with Tinubu and reconciled with Wike, signaling a resolution of the conflict.
On Wednesday, Tinubu announced the end of emergency rule and reinstated Fubara, Odu, and the lawmakers, asking them to resume duties on September 18.
Reacting on Thursday via his official X handle, Atiku insisted Tinubu acted outside the law both in suspending and reinstating the officials.
He wrote: “Lifting the suspension of Governor Simi Fubara is nothing to cheer about. The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was done six months ago and is still illegal today. President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers. The Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration.”
What you should know
Atiku Abubakar maintains that Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Rivers lawmakers was unconstitutional.
Though the president has lifted the measure, Atiku insists both the action and its reversal highlight authoritarian tendencies. The suspension stemmed from a power struggle between Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike.
