BREAKING: Atiku, Obi, Others Urge N’Assembly to Reject Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers
Opposition leaders, including the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have called on the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Speaking at a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku accused Tinubu of favoritism and misapplying Section 305 of the Constitution in imposing emergency rule.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State. We also urge patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimize an unconstitutional power grab,” Atiku stated.
Rivers State has been in political turmoil for nearly two years, with a power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, leading to governance paralysis.
In response, Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday during a nationwide broadcast, suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected state House of Assembly members for six months. He also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
Military forces swiftly took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt following the announcement. While Fubara expressed concerns and called for calm, the state House of Assembly backed the President’s decision.
Other opposition figures at the press conference included Labour Party’s Peter Obi, represented by Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh; and Alternative Convenor, Segun Showunmi.
Apologies were tendered on behalf of former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, among others.
Details shortly…