The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
READ ALSO: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers, suspends Gov Fubara
Daily News 24 reports that in a statement on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party was dismayed by Tinubu’s decision, insisting that the president had no legal authority to suspend a democratically elected governor.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy,” the statement read.
The party argued that Tinubu’s action amounted to “state capture” and was part of a broader plan to impose one-party rule by weakening the opposition. It maintained that the situation in Rivers did not justify an emergency declaration under the 1999 Constitution.
“The unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of a larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, and turn the country into a fiefdom,” the PDP alleged.
Citing Section 305 of the Constitution, the party noted that Tinubu was required to seek approval from the National Assembly before executing an emergency declaration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305(2) provides that ‘The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation… to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives’ for approval,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP also cautioned Ibas against taking actions that could disrupt democratic governance in the state, warning that Nigeria was not under military rule.
“Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years, which cannot be unconstitutionally abridged,” the statement emphasized.
The party called on Nigerians to resist what it described as a dangerous precedent that threatens the nation’s democracy.
