Former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi has slammed President Tinubu for suspending Governor Fubara, calling it unconstitutional and a power grab. Read the full details of the political storm shaking Rivers State.
Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaechi, in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, described the action as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.”
The former Rivers governor did not mince words, insisting that President Tinubu had no constitutional authority to suspend a duly elected governor. He called on the National Assembly, state governors, and key stakeholders to reject what he termed an illegal power grab.
“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold,” Amaechi fumed.
According to him, Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution clearly outlines the impeachment process for a governor, and at no point does it empower the President to unilaterally remove a sitting state executive.
Amaechi further questioned Tinubu’s use of Section 305, which gives the President power to declare a State of Emergency, arguing that it does not confer authority to dissolve an elected government.
He accused “certain forces” of orchestrating a political coup in Rivers State and warned that Nigeria could be on the brink of totalitarian rule.
“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy,” Amaechi declared.
He also commended governors who had publicly rejected Tinubu’s move and urged others to stand up against the abuse of power.
The declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State has sparked intense debate across Nigeria. While some argue that the move was necessary to restore stability amid political tensions, critics like Amaechi warn that it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens Nigeria’s democratic governance.
The coming days will determine whether President Tinubu bows to pressure or pushes forward with his controversial decision.
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