Amaechi Condemns Suspension Of Elected Officials In Rivers State.
Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected state officials in Rivers State, describing it as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen attempt at a power grab.”
Amaechi, who governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, argued that the President’s actions violate the Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 188, which outlines the legal procedure for removing a state governor. He maintained that a democratically elected governor cannot be removed through a presidential proclamation.
“I unequivocally condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State House of Assembly by President Tinubu,” Amaechi stated.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution—the same Constitution he swore to uphold.”
Amaechi further asserted that Section 188 does not grant the President the power to remove an elected governor through a decree or proclamation. He also questioned the legality of citing Section 305, which grants the President authority to declare a state of emergency, as justification for the move.
“The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of government in Rivers State by the President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305,” he added.
A Threat to Democracy
The former governor warned that the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State signals a descent into totalitarianism. He urged political leaders, including state governors and legislators, to oppose the move and called on the National Assembly to reject the decision.
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and the rape of our democracy,” Amaechi said.
He also commended governors who have spoken against the suspension, stating that their collective voices could help reverse what he described as an unconstitutional act.
“The suspension is a very dangerous affront to Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy,” he concluded.
