Amaechi slams Tinubu over Rivers emergency rule

Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned what he described as the unconstitutional removal of Siminalayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State, accusing President Bola Tinubu of breaching Nigeria’s constitution by declaring a state of emergency in the state.

Speaking at the 9th Edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) Annual Leadership Discourse in Lagos, Amaechi didn’t hold back in his criticism, stating that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat due to the collapse of constitutional principles and the weakness of key institutions like the National Assembly.

According to him, “The president didn’t just break a law, he broke the constitution. This breach touches the sacredness of the constitution, which is supposed to be the Bible of a nation. Yet, the president removed an elected governor and replaced him with a military figure—and nothing happened. The country moved on.”

Amaechi expressed disappointment in the legislature’s silence, accusing the National Assembly of aiding the president in “instituting an illegal government.” He described the chamber as “very weak,” adding that the nation’s docile citizenry also enables such acts of executive impunity.

Addressing the theme of the event, Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development, Amaechi challenged the idea of “fearless leadership,” arguing that leadership courage becomes necessary only in the face of systemic failure. “Do you need a courageous leader where the system works? Just press the button and everything functions. It is only when leadership fails that people start looking for courage,” he said.

He further urged Nigerians to resist bad governance and arbitrary rule, stressing that good governance must be rooted in constitutionality and the rule of law, not in the whims of leaders.

Meanwhile, former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, offered a different perspective. He argued that without an enabling environment, fearless leadership remains a far-fetched ideal.

“People need to know that if they speak truth to power, their families won’t be punished through denial of healthcare or education. If I speak up, my wife shouldn’t have to worry about how our children will survive,” Agbaje said, calling for systemic support to protect whistleblowers and bold leaders.

On his part, the convener of the event, Akinjide Adeosun, reiterated the foundation’s mission of grooming transformative leaders. He called for a paradigm shift in leadership, stressing that courageous and ethical leadership would pave the way for industrial growth, clean water, reliable power supply, and improved security.