Former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and an assault on democracy.
In a statement on Sunday, Wabara condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s lawmakers, insisting that Tinubu’s actions violated Nigeria’s Constitution. He urged for an immediate reversal and warned that such measures reminded Nigerians of military rule.
President Tinubu declared the state of emergency on March 18, citing a political crisis between Fubara and lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike. The move, ratified by the National Assembly, also saw the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator for six months.
Wabara argued that the Constitution only permits emergency rule in extreme cases such as war or insurrection, which he said Rivers did not meet. He criticized the National Assembly for approving the move and called on lawmakers to uphold democracy rather than act as a “rubber stamp” for the executive.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit challenging Tinubu’s decision. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to overturn the suspension of elected officials and the appointment of a sole administrator. The plaintiffs argue that the move violates Nigeria’s Constitution and international legal obligations.
No date has been set for the hearing.
