Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has flayed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, declaring the pronouncement as absolute armageddon, total disrespect for constituted authority and vicious violation of the 1999 constitution.
Tribune Online reports that President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, blaming Governor Siminalayi Fubara as cause of the step he took to restore peace in the state.
Chief George said this in his reaction, in a statement, copy of which he made available to newsmen, describing the step taken by President Tinubu, who he alleged gave the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, soldiers and security agents to try to destabilise Rivers State, as recklessness of the highest order, even as he queried: “What did Fubara do?”
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The PDP chieftain asserted that Governor Fubara does not have powers over any security agency, saying that notwithstanding the state governor still kept his cool and, therefore, did not deserve what he termed dictatorial emergency rule foisted on the state.
George, while wondering what type of democracy was being displayed in 2025, warned that the was exactly how the whole thing started in 1962 and 1983, alleging that rhis is a dress rehearsal of what President Tinubu wantwd to do in 2027 as ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) “wants to get all states through unconstitutional means.”
“This State of Emergency is absolute balderdash. Did he get the approval of the National Assembly before his broadcast?
“What happened in Rivers before today was the hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.
“Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when the lawmakers were fighting? Why? Why did he invite Diete-Spiff and Niger Delta leaders last week when he knew where he was going? Is Tinubu now becoming a civilian dictator?” he queried.
and then