Atiku also noted that “Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration”.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu was a violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
He made this known on Thursday in a post he shared on his Facebook page while commenting on the governor’s reinstatement.
In March, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months.
He then appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance.
However, on Wednesday, September 17,
the president lifted the emergency rule and reinstated Fubara and others.
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While announcing the decision, Tinubu said, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”
Reacting to the development, Atiku
said there is nothing to cheer about in the governor’s reinstatement by President Tinubu.
The former vice president further noted added that the president lacks the power to suspend a democratically elected leader.
Speaking via his verified social media handle, Atiku said, “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.”
