Peter Obi condemns Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and a reckless assault on democracy.

In a statement posted on his social media, Obi condemned Tinubu’s decision to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office, warning that it undermines Nigeria’s democratic progress and sets a dangerous precedent. He argued that the move blatantly disregards the rule of law, portraying a disturbing willingness by the President to tighten his grip on power at all costs.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and impose martial rule on a key part of the federation,” Obi stated.

He maintained that the political tensions in Rivers did not warrant such an extreme measure and accused the President of selectively interpreting Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution to justify an unlawful act. According to Obi, emergency rule does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove a democratically elected governor.

Describing the action as a dangerous step toward lawlessness, Obi expressed concerns that it could encourage impunity and further erode Nigeria’s democratic values. He noted that the country is already grappling with electoral irregularities and governance failures, warning that arbitrary removals of elected officials could push the nation closer to anarchy.

Obi urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to intervene and prevent the decision from standing, stressing that allowing such unconstitutional actions would deepen the culture of lawlessness in Nigeria’s democracy.

“A new Nigeria is possible!” he concluded, rallying citizens to resist any attempts to undermine constitutional governance.