Suspension Of Fubara, Others Clear Violation Of Constitution – Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state and immediate former minister of transportation, is joining the growing opposition to the governor’s suspension of his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and state legislators in the wake of the state’s state of emergency.

President Bola Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy, and all of the state’s lawmakers on Tuesday following the state’s unending political crisis in the South-South state.

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) was chosen as the president’s administrator for the initial six months.

READ MORE: Tinubu Is Ibok-ete Ibas’s sole administrator for Rivers

However, Amaechi, who presided over Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, unwaveringly denounced the President’s decision, claiming it demonstrates a country’s descent into totalitarianism and represents a power grab.

Amaechi claimed in a statement on Wednesday that Tinubu’s action was a clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

He urged well-intentioned Nigerians to speak out, particularly the Nigerian Governors Forum, who, in his opinion, has the power to “reverse the President’s unlawful actions.”

The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, abruptly and without explanation, condemns the governor of Rivers State, the deputy governor of Rivers State, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“With this singular action, Mr. President technically slowed down and shortened democracy in Rivers State.” This flagrantly violates the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, which Mr. President obviated.

A State Governor’s removal from office is clearly defined in Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. Additionally, it does not contain a President’s official promulgation, decree, or declaration. He cannot, therefore, give himself such authority.

A democratically elected state governor is not able to be removed from office by a president’s proclamation. Even within the bounds of Section 305, which the President cited in his broadcast, Mr. President’s suspension of two important democratically elected branches of government in Rivers State is a flagrant violation of our Constitution.

The unlawful suspension of democratically elected bodies in my beloved Rivers State highlights a deliberate attempt by forces and individuals to seize control of the state under the purview of the Constitution. The recent events in Rivers State, highlighting a clear orchestrated plot by some people to impose themselves on the people, are unconstitutional.

All people of goodwill and conscience should rise up to protest this ominous violation of our Constitution and the rape of our democracy at this unfunny point in our country’s history. Mr. President should be made clear that this is unacceptable and that he must be made to acknowledge it.

Politicians from all ideological divides should speak out and rise to stop the descent of totalitarianism in our country. Now is the time to speak up, state governors and legislators. I call on the National Assembly to reject this illegitimacy.

As a former governor of the state and former head of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am aware of the crucial role that the country’s elected governors can play in halting this decline and reversing Mr. President’s illegal actions. Governors who have opposed the unlawful suspension merit praise.

Source: Channels TV