Rivers crisis: Kwankwaso condemns Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration
Former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kwankwaso drew parallels between the current political crisis and the events leading to the annulment of the 1993 election. He recalled how past parliamentary mistakes allowed executive overreach, warning that history could repeat itself if lawmakers fail to uphold democratic principles.
Expressing deep concern over the situation in Rivers, Kwankwaso condemned Tinubu’s unilateral decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state legislators. He criticized the National Assembly for ratifying the decision, arguing that the legislature should serve as a check on the executive rather than a rubber stamp.
Kwankwaso also took issue with the use of a voice vote to approve the emergency declaration, saying it lacked transparency and failed to follow constitutional procedures. He warned that the swift approval of a measure that dismantles a democratically elected government sets a dangerous precedent.
Emphasizing the role of the judiciary in maintaining balance, he urged Nigerian courts to act impartially and ensure justice is served without external interference. He cautioned that failure to do so could deepen political instability and erode public confidence in the legal system.
The former senator further criticized the decision to deploy the military to Rivers State, arguing that such a move reverses the democratic gains made since 1999. He referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts in keeping the military out of politics, warning that Tinubu’s actions risk undoing years of progress.
Kwankwaso also highlighted growing fears among opposition-led states, saying the president’s actions could serve as a dangerous precedent for suppressing political opponents. He insisted that the political tensions in Rivers do not justify invoking Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution, calling the move an unconstitutional overreach that could encourage impunity if left unchecked.
Concluding his statement, Kwankwaso urged democratic institutions to stand firm against what he termed executive excesses, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is at risk if such actions are allowed to persist.
