Good Governance Ministry (GGM) has declared the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as unconstitutional and outright breach of Nigeria’s federal structure.The President action is undemocratic and autocratic!
GGM noted that the political crisis in Rivers State was rather avoidable and could have been nipped in the bud by the President who had given Minister Wike open cheque to hold the people of Rivers hostage. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State ,an opposition political party is to say the least total State capture by APC central government.
In a Statement released to BVI Channel 1 online , Ndubuisi Anaenugwu,the Ambassador General of GGM, argued that while Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution grants the President authority to declare a state of emergency, it establishes certain conditions and procedural to protect democratic governance and fundamental rights.
It should be noted that the Constitution does not grant the President power to unilaterally remove elected officials under the guise of a state of emergency. Section 188 of the Constitution specifies the process for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, while the removal of House of Assembly members must adhere to constitutional and electoral guidelines. GGM further clarified that a state of emergency does not dissolve or suspend elected state governments, and any attempt to do so amounts to an “unconstitutional usurpation of power.”
GGM insisted that the suspension of Governor Fubara and others is unlawful and a dangerous affront to Nigeria’s democracy and could be interpreted as democratic coup against opposition party .
Maureen Okafor writes for BVI Channel 1 online