The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and demanding that it be lifted immediately.
The party expressed full support for Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments, which many believe were a subtle criticism of the President’s actions.
According to the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the President has no legal authority to suspend a democratically elected governor.
He claimed that Tinubu misused the constitution for personal political gain when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18 and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator for six months.
Although the political rift between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has since been resolved, the President has not reversed the suspension.
During the launch of a book written by former Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke on Thursday, Vice President Shettima recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan tried to remove him as Borno State Governor but failed due to resistance from political leaders and legal experts.
Shettima’s account was seen by some as a criticism of Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.
In response to claims that Shettima’s remarks were misunderstood, the ADC insisted that the Vice President was simply stating constitutional truth.
They argued that what was unconstitutional during Jonathan’s tenure remains unconstitutional today.
The ADC accused President Tinubu of disrespecting the law and setting a dangerous precedent by suspending an elected governor.
The party stated that Nigeria is not a monarchy and warned that the President’s powers are limited by law and democratic principles.
They described Tinubu’s actions as executive overreach and a threat to democracy.
The ADC also pointed out that the Boko Haram insurgency during Jonathan’s tenure, which involved the abduction of schoolgirls and mass killings, was far more severe than the political tension in Rivers.
Yet Jonathan respected the limits of his powers and did not suspend any governor.
In conclusion, the ADC called on President Tinubu to end the emergency rule in Rivers State, restore democratic governance, stop all unconstitutional interference, and publicly apologise to Nigerians for abusing his powers.
