Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of all elected officials in the state for an initial six-month period. The move has sparked widespread debate on its legality and implications for Nigeria’s democratic governance.
Reacting in a personally signed statement released Wednesday night, El-Rufai described the decision as unconstitutional, arguing that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the president to suspend a sitting governor or other elected state officials.
El-Rufai Warns Against Federal Overreach
The former governor emphasized that such an action undermines Nigeria’s democratic federalism, setting a dangerous precedent where an elected president assumes powers beyond constitutional limits.
“There are things that are so clearly wrong that the justifications summoned in their defence fall flat. The decision of Mr. President to suspend the elected officials of the Rivers State Government is one of those,” El-Rufai stated.
He pointed out that while security concerns in Rivers State require urgent intervention, a state of emergency should focus on empowering security agencies, not dismantling democratic institutions. According to him, granting security forces special powers and resources to address insecurity is justifiable, but removing elected leaders is an overreach that violates democratic principles.
Citing Supreme Court Precedent
El-Rufai also referenced a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation, which he said clearly established that the suspension of elected officials is unlawful.
“The responsibilities of a president are extensive but constrained by the Constitution. They certainly do not include the power to remove elected officials,” he asserted.
He further recalled that when former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the North-East, then-opposition leader Bola Tinubu had strongly criticized the move—even though Jonathan had not gone as far as suspending governors. El-Rufai urged Tinubu to reconsider his stance and align with constitutional principles.
A Call for Reversal and National Debate
El-Rufai warned against allowing history to repeat itself, drawing parallels with the controversial 1962 emergency rule in the Western Region, which escalated into a political crisis.
“Let us not keep silent while we witness a repeat of history. I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to call for an end to this constitutional violation,” he urged.
He called on the President to reverse the decision, restore democratic structures in Rivers State, and ensure that governance remains within the boundaries of constitutional law.
