A former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adolphus Wabara, on Sunday, faulted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Wabara insisted that Tinubu’s actions violated the fundamental principles of Nigeria’s Constitution and called for immediate reversal.
The development comes as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project filed a lawsuit against Tinubu, challenging the legality of his decision.
The President, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, slammed the state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu and members of the state House of Assembly.
He also appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as sole administrator for an initial period of six months.
The proclamation was ratified by the National Assembly on Thursday.
Defending his action, the President insisted that the state was drifting toward anarchy due to the frosty relationship between Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly members loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Many Nigerians, including the opposition members and PDP governors, former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, condemned what they termed an unconstitutional order in Rivers.
Wabara, in a statement he issued on Sunday, described the decision as unconstitutional and a grave assault on democracy.
“This action is a gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, the foundational legal document that guarantees the rights of Nigerians to participate in the democratic process, and a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.
“It is an attack on the very essence of our Republic. It’s an action that deserves the strongest condemnation and corrective action by all well-meaning Nigerians, the judiciary, civil society, and the international community.
“In my capacity as the Chairman of BoT of our great party, the PDP; and a former Senate President, I, Senator Adolphus Wabara, call for the reversal of this assault on our democracy.
“It’s sad and disheartening that Mr President ignored my earlier advice to ignore those calling for emergency rule in Rivers State,” he said.
He said the proclamation reminded Nigerians of the era of military dictatorship in the country.
“President Bola Tinubu’s action only reminded Nigerians of the better-forgotten era of military dictatorship.
“The people of Rivers State exercised their democratic rights in electing their leaders, including the governor, deputy governor, and members of the House of Assembly.
“These leaders were not appointed by the President or any other authority, but were chosen by the people to represent their interests,” he added.