The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of overstepping his constitutional authority in the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminilayi Fubara, during the recently declared Emergency Rule in the state.In a statement on Thursday, the opposition party described the President’s action as an assault on democracy and a dangerous precedent that undermines Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The PDP maintained that no section of the 1999 Constitution empowers the President to suspend an elected governor, even under emergency rule, adding that such a move amounts to a usurpation of powers belonging to the electorate and state institutions.“The suspension of Governor Fubara is not only unconstitutional but also a brazen violation of the principles of federalism,” the statement read. “President Tinubu owes Nigerians an unreserved apology for this clear abuse of power.”
The party further called on the National Assembly and the judiciary to rise in defence of the constitution, warning that silence in the face of such “authoritarian tendencies” could threaten the nation’s democracy.The PDP also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any attempt to erode democratic governance under the guise of emergency measures.