TheFormer Minister of Transportation in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Rt. Hon Rotimi Chubuike Amaechi has joined millions of Nigerians in condemning the unpopular decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers state.
Amaechi who was also the Governor of the state said removing a democratically elected governor of a state was sitting the constitution on its head.
“Unequivocally, I condemn the rather brazen and unilaterally reckless suspension and removal of the Governor of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“With this singular move, Mr President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold”, Amaechi said.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Tinubu swears-in Rivers Administrator, Ibas As Ibas flies back to P/Harcourt to resume official duties
Making reference to Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution which clearly stipulates how a State Governor can be removed from office, Amaechi said that provision does not include a fiat declaration, decree or promulgation by Mr. President. “Therefore, he cannot appropriate such powers to himself”.
According to him, a democratically elected State Governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr. President. “The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of Government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our Constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the President cited in his broadcast.
“The unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in my dear Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the State by forces and persons who do not have such Constitutional powers.
“The unfolding events in Rivers State in the past months, points to a clear orchestrated plot by some persons to unconstitutionally perpetrate and impose themselves on the people.
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand”.
The former Minister called on politicians across divides to speak up; “rise to halt our nation’s descent into totalitarianism. State Governors and Legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality”.
He noted that “as a former State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected Governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr. President. I commend the Governors that have spoken against the unlawful suspension. The suspension is a very dangerous affront on Nigeria’s Constitution and democracy”, he warned.