Tinubu’s emergency rule may destabilise Rivers — PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that the move could disrupt the peace previously enjoyed in the state and serve as a blueprint for undermining democracy in the South-South ahead of the 2027 elections.

At a press conference held at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that Tinubu’s decision was unwarranted and politically motivated.

He emphasised that, at the time the emergency was declared on Tuesday, Rivers State was not in a state of crisis.

“Mr President, your action is now beginning to hurt the people of Rivers State and the nation. At the time of the declaration, Rivers State was at peace. We cannot say for sure now whether that peace will continue,” Ologunagba said.

“A President is expected to be a resolver of problems, not an exacerbator of them.”

The PDP outrightly rejected the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as unconstitutional and a blatant attempt to dismantle Nigeria’s democratic framework.

“The purported suspension of Governor Fubara cannot stand. It is unconstitutional, impracticable, invalid, and completely out of the question. No provision of the Constitution empowers the President to dismantle a sub-national government or suspend a democratically elected State Governor under any situation whatsoever,” Ologunagba asserted.

He accused Tinubu of attempting to suspend the 1999 Constitution and impose an undemocratic regime in Rivers State.

He cited various constitutional provisions, including Sections 1(2), 14(2)(a), 180, 217(2)(b)(c), and 305(2), which he claimed the President had violated.

“This constitutional sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercisable through their elected representatives, including state governors and legislators. The President has no power to override this sovereignty under any guise,” Ologunagba added.

The PDP also accused Tinubu of breaching constitutional protocol by declaring the state of emergency without first securing the approval of the National Assembly.

“Under the Constitution, the President is required to obtain National Assembly approval before a state of emergency takes effect. Tinubu’s directive for immediate enforcement is a direct violation of this process,” Ologunagba explained.

He called on the National Assembly to exercise its legislative oversight and reject the unconstitutional move, adding that the PDP had formally instructed its lawmakers to oppose the proclamation.

“We expect our members in the National Assembly to stand with the party’s position because it is clear that this state of emergency has an ulterior motive,” he stated.

The PDP urged the military and other security agencies to remain neutral and uphold their constitutional mandate of defending democratic governance rather than being used as political tools.

The party also reaffirmed its support for Governor Fubara, insisting that he remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State.

“The military and other security agencies must resist any attempt to drag them into an unconstitutional takeover of a state government. Their role is to protect democracy, not undermine it,” Ologunagba warned.

Also speaking at the press conference, PDP South-South Caretaker Committee Chairman, Emma Ogidi, accused President Tinubu of selectively targeting Governor Fubara while ignoring the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in fuelling the Rivers crisis.

He stated: “You know, this morning we woke up, I got a call, because people are confused with what happened now.

“Yes, people are just moving about, but they are confused because they don’t know what is going to happen. It has never happened before; it’s alien.

“Mr President, all through his speech, he blamed the governor for everything, but what happens to the chief investigator? No mention was made of the FCT minister, his own minister, who we all know is the chief investigator.

“He has had several press briefings, has assaulted elders, has assaulted the Ijaw nation.

“Only last Saturday, he went to Abulama. He went with a contingent of soldiers, saying he was being honoured. A minister, going about with a contingent of soldiers.

“So when the thing was announced on Tuesday, we were not surprised because he has found a loose cannon. A man who has no respect for authorities, who believes in his own self. That’s why he’s doing what he’s doing. It’s unfortunate for us that our president has not been brought to book.

“Some of our men have run out of the state, our senior officers, I mean, party officials.

“They want to capture Rivers State. If you recall, the FCT minister had been saying he’s going to deliver Rivers State. And this one, he’s not going to stop at Rivers State. Because he believes, that’s why we’re telling our people to be very careful.

“We’re going to tell our governors to watch it. His target now is the South-South.

“So we are calling on you all to let the whole world know that this is the 2027 agenda. Nothing else.”

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