Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians should stand up and defend the country’s democracy by resisting the state of emergency declared in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu.
The former vice-president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a press conference of concerned political leaders.
He said it is not only the responsibility of the opposition parties to defend democracy but the duty of everyone to reject the “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.
On Tuesday, Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis in the state.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers, his deputy and the state house of assembly.
He also appointed a sole administrator for the state.
Abubakar said Tinubu must immediately reverse the emergency rule and reinstate the governor, his deputy and the house of assembly.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly of Rivers state,” he said.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.
“We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.
“We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.
“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action, by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country.
“The historical unrest in the Niger Delta should not be forgotten so soon. Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.
“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”
In attendance at the press briefing were Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo, among others.
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