Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Others Urge NASS To Reject State Of Emergency In Rivers
By Samson Adanu, Abuja
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and other opposition leaders in the country, have advised the National Assembly not to give constitutional backing to the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku, speaking on Thursday, on behalf of the opposition leaders at a press conference held at Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, accused Tinubu of favouritism and the improper use of Section 305 regarding the state of emergency.
He stated, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval.
“The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.”
Recall that Rivers State has been engulfed in political instability for nearly two years as former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, vie for supremacy, leading to a governance deadlock in the oil-rich state.
As a result, the President declared a state of emergency in the state on Tuesday during a nationwide broadcast. He stressed the need for order and suspended Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Additionally, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas was appointed as the state’s administrator. Within hours of the declaration, military forces took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt. While Fubara expressed his concerns and called for calm, the state House of Assembly supported the President’s decision.
Other opposition leaders present at the ongoing press conference include Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who is represented by Yunusa Tanko, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, and Convener of the Alternative, Segun Showunmi, among others.
Among those whose apologies were announced are former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, among others.
