By: Daure David
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and a threat to democratic governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PDP BoT, led by former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, argued that the President’s decision to suspend the democratically elected officials of Rivers State—Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly members—was undemocratic and unconstitutional.
The PDP BoT stressed that the emergency rule, which involves the appointment of a Sole Administrator to govern the state, was an “assault on democracy” and a “gross violation” of the Constitution. The statement highlighted that the President’s action bore a disturbing resemblance to military-era tactics, an era Nigerians had long moved beyond.
“The President’s decision is a direct breach of the will of the people of Rivers State, who exercised their democratic right to elect their leaders. The Constitution guarantees the right of the people to be governed by officials of their choosing, and the President’s unilateral suspension of these officials is unconstitutional,” the statement read.
The PDP BoT also expressed dismay at the manner in which the National Assembly ratified the President’s action, claiming the decision was made through a voice vote instead of a constitutionally required two-thirds majority. The body described the use of a voice vote as undemocratic, highlighting the necessity for a proper physical or electronic voting process to ensure a legitimate two-thirds majority.
“The claims by the Speaker of the House of Representatives about 243 members on the register are laughable. Physical or electronic voting is required to determine a two-thirds majority. A voice vote does not meet constitutional requirements, and it is unacceptable,” said the PDP BoT.
The BoT went on to accuse President Tinubu of hypocrisy, pointing to his opposition to a similar emergency rule declared by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013 in the North East. The PDP also raised concerns about the true motives behind the emergency rule, alleging that it was part of a broader political strategy to undermine Governor Fubara and potentially pave the way for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to gain control of Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election.
“The President’s actions reflect a dangerous overreach of executive power. The people of Rivers State have been deprived of their right to self-governance, and this sets a dangerous precedent for other states in Nigeria,” the statement warned.
The PDP BoT also criticized the President for accusing Governor Fubara of failing to prevent pipeline vandalism while neglecting to address the role of other political actors involved in the crisis. They questioned the constitutionality of appointing a Sole Administrator with the power to make regulations without legislative oversight, suggesting that the move was part of a plan to gain access to Rivers State’s resources.
In response, the PDP BoT called on the National Assembly to act in defense of Nigeria’s democracy, urging lawmakers to protect the Constitution and resist any attempts to consolidate unchecked executive power.
“The National Assembly must fulfill its constitutional duty and serve as a check on the executive. The Nigerian people deserve a government that operates within the confines of the Constitution, and the National Assembly must rise to the occasion,” the statement concluded.
The PDP BoT expressed solidarity with Governor Fubara and the people of Rivers State during this difficult period, affirming the party’s commitment to protecting democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
