Atiku, Obi and Others Call on National Assembly to Reject Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, along with Peter Obi of the Labour Party and other opposition leaders, has urged the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

During a press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Atiku accused Tinubu of showing favoritism and misapplying Section 305 concerning the state of emergency. He stated, “We demand that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immediately rescind this unconstitutional declaration and restore the elected officials of Rivers State, including the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State Assembly.”

He called on conscientious Senators and Representatives to oppose this “illegal action” when it is brought before them for approval, emphasizing that the National Assembly should not be complicit in legitimizing a power grab that undermines the constitution.

Rivers State has faced political turmoil for nearly two years, as former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, struggle for control, creating a governance impasse in the resource-rich state. In response, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday during a nationwide address, emphasizing the need for peace and order. He suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the new state administrator.

Shortly after the declaration, military personnel took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt. While Fubara voiced his concerns and called for calm, the state House of Assembly expressed support for the President’s initiative.

Other opposition figures present at the press conference included Labour Party’s Peter Obi, represented by Yunusa Tanko, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties Peter Ahmeh, and Convenor of the Alternative Segun Showunmi, among others.

Apologies were also noted from former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, among others.