Tinubu lacks power to suspend elected governor – PDP
• Opposition party rejects emergency rule, calls move unconstitutional
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting he has no constitutional power to remove a democratically elected governor.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as unconstitutional and a direct attack on democracy.
“The President has no right to override the will of the people of Rivers State or replace their elected leader with an unelected individual,” the statement read.
The PDP accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately creating chaos in Rivers State to justify the takeover, warning that the move could set a dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy.
Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the party stressed that Tinubu cannot impose emergency rule without the approval of the National Assembly, adding that the current situation in the state does not warrant such an action.
The opposition party urged Vice Admiral Ibas to respect democratic principles and avoid actions that could plunge the state into further crisis.
It also called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to undermine the country’s democracy.
