Tinubu Violated Constitution in Rivers, National Assembly Ineffective – Amaechi

The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State violated Nigeria’s constitution.

Amaechi expressed his disappointment with the National Assembly’s ineffectiveness, characterizing the Red Chamber as a very weak institution that helped Tinubu establish an illegal government.

The former Rivers State governor spoke at the 9th Edition of Akinjide Adeosun Foundation, AAF, Annual Leadership Discourse themed: “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” organised by AAF yesterday in Lagos.

Amaechi said: “For a governor or a president, who subscribes to such a concept, it is what he or she does that is law. It is not what is in the book that is the law. There is also the non-observance of the basic principles of law.

“This is where government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader. Like the current pronouncement of an illegal and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State aided by weak institutions like the National Assembly, which is very weak.

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“What is even more alarming is that the breach in the situation is not even about the law. The president didn’t break any law. He broke the Constitution.

“Now, this breach of the constitution is a breach of the sacredness and sanctity of the constitution. The constitution of a country is the Bible of that country. And its sanctity must be protected.

“Can we say the same in Nigeria? Obviously, the response would be a resounding no. The president looked at the whole of Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man, yet the country continued. Nothing happened,” he lamented. 

It was gathered that Tinubu had, a few weeks ago, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the prolonged political crisis in the south-south state.

The president also suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the members of the state assembly.

He later nominated Ibok-Eke Ibas as the administrator of Rivers State.