By Ayo Kehinde
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to rescind the decision, which they described as unconstitutional and a direct threat to democracy.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, vowed to challenge the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials in court.
Expressing solidarity with Fubara and the people of Rivers State, the forum accused the President of bias, particularly in his failure to acknowledge the role of his Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the state’s political crisis.
“He who seeks equity must come with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role of your FCT Minister in this crisis is telling. He has acted with impunity because he is carrying out your script. This is not statesmanlike; it is biased and divisive,” the statement read.
The governors warned that the move to impose emergency rule in Rivers State could set a dangerous precedent, exacerbating political instability and insecurity across the country.
“This attack on Rivers State and the PDP is the greatest threat to democracy today. It will only worsen national crises, deepen mistrust, increase security threats, cripple the economy, and undermine national cohesion,” the statement added.
Citing concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the PDP governors emphasized that the President lacked the constitutional authority to remove elected officials under the guise of emergency rule.
It added, “The NBA has made it clear that a state of emergency does not grant the President powers to sack elected officials. Their statement reinforces our position that this action is unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
The forum further announced plans to seek judicial interpretation of Section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the legal process for declaring a state of emergency.
Calling on President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, the PDP governors warned against what they described as a dangerous overreach.
It stated, “This authoritarian move cannot stand. Mr. President must listen to wise counsel, admit his error, and reverse this ill-advised decision before it is too late.”
