ABUJA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the move as unconstitutional and an assault on democracy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the opposition party condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly, stating that the President lacks the power to depose an elected governor.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis and suspending Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months.
He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused Tinubu of attempting to override the Constitution and undermine the will of the people of Rivers State.
“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State,” the statement read.
Ologunagba described the appointment of an administrator as a “clear attack on our nation’s democracy” and an “abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.”
He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the crisis in Rivers State to achieve a “state capture” and impose a one-party system in Nigeria.
“The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on an attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP argued that the situation in Rivers State does not justify the declaration of a state of emergency under the 1999 Constitution, describing the move as “completely incompetent.”
“Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent,” the statement added.
The party also warned that the emergency declaration is part of a broader plan to suppress opposition and impose authoritarian rule in Nigeria.
“The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP further criticised Tinubu for bypassing the National Assembly, noting that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution requires legislative approval for the declaration of a state of emergency.
“In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly,” the statement read.
Ologunagba urged Ibas, the newly appointed administrator, to avoid actions that could derail democracy in Rivers State.
“Mr. President should recognise that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over the government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation,” he said.
The PDP’s rejection of the emergency declaration adds to the growing criticism of Tinubu’s actions, with stakeholders questioning the constitutionality and implications of the move.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have also condemned the declaration, calling for a return to constitutional order.
