Tinubu Suspended, Not Removed, Rivers Governor Amid Emergency Rule, Presidency Clarifies
The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Tinubu did not remove Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, but only suspended them following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, made this clarification on Wednesday while responding to remarks by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi at an event honoring ex-Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Obi had criticized Tinubu’s emergency declaration, claiming it signaled the collapse of democracy under the current administration.
Dada dismissed Obi’s comments as hypocritical and accused him of historical revisionism for praising former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a democracy champion.
He argued that democracy in Rivers State had already been undermined when Governor Fubara allegedly created an illegal 4-member state assembly, appointed a “private Speaker,” and demolished the parliament building in October 2023.
“The President invoked constitutional powers under Section 305 to declare emergency rule, which includes temporary suspension of executive and legislative functions to restore order,” Dada stated.
“Fubara remains governor but cannot exercise full powers during this period – same for the state assembly members.”
The presidential aide challenged Obi’s democratic credentials, recalling:
– How Obi allegedly governed Anambra for nearly 8 years with unelected sole administrators at local governments
– The controversial circumstances surrounding Obi’s 2006 impeachment and subsequent court battles
– The role of Obasanjo’s aides in the controversial 2003 Anambra gubernatorial election
“Democracy collapsed in Rivers when a governor ruled without legislative oversight for months,” Dada asserted. “Those now crying foul were silent when constitutional breaches occurred under their watch.”
The statement added that, “Perhaps Mr. Obi needs an advanced degree in Hypocritical Science to understand these distinctions.”
The clarification comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, where emergency rule aims to stabilize the crisis between the executive and legislative arms of government.
