LAGOS, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — Former presidential candidate Peter Obi on Tuesday criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove Rivers State Governor Similaya Fubara, calling it unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
“The unilateral decision to remove Governor Fubara from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless,” Obi said in a statement. “It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, undoing 26 years of democratic progress.”
Obi accused Tinubu of disregarding the rule of law and using a state of emergency as a pretext to consolidate power.
“This is a degrading backdoor imposition of martial rule on a strategic part of the federation,” he said. “The political situation in Rivers does not justify such an extreme measure, and it is a biased interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution.”
Obi warned that the move sets a dangerous precedent, eroding democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected governor can be removed unilaterally,” he said. “This action is an unconstitutional overreach and must not be allowed to stand.”
Calling on the National Assembly and other stakeholders to resist the decision, Obi said allowing such actions to go unchecked would deepen impunity and threaten the country’s democratic stability.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.
