Emergency rule: PDP Govs fault Tinubu, threaten legal action
By Emma Ogbuehi
Despite the National Assembly affirmation of the state of emergency declared on Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, by President Bola Tinubu, the dust generated by the action has refused to settle, as many individuals and groups continue to kick against it. Tinubu had declared the emergency rule in the oil-rich state, citing violence and breakdown of law and order.
In a broadcast announcing the action, he suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Odu and the State House of Assembly for six months. The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator for the State. Fubara was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party as well as the state’s legislators before they fell out with the governor.
Reacting to the development, Governors elected on the platform of the PDP have vowed to challenge the President’s action in court. Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, who made the disclosure, said the decision to seek legal redress was taken at an emergency meeting of the PDP Governors on Wednesday.
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He commended the PDP for demonstrating what he called “the needed strength and leadership”. The governor further condemned the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Governor Makinde, in his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance Issue 110, noted that the suspension of democracy in Rivers State, through the declaration of State of Emergency, is an illegal act which must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.
According to him: “I stand today to say that the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.
“As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.”
He added: “I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction. We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.”
