Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials, labeling the decision as a blatant attack on democracy and the rule of law.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, El-Rufai condemned the move, stating that it contradicts constitutional provisions and sets a dangerous precedent for democratic federalism in Nigeria.
In his statement, El-Rufai acknowledged that Rivers State faces significant security challenges that require urgent intervention but insisted that declaring a state of emergency should not justify the dissolution of a democratically elected government.
“There are things that are so clearly wrong that the justifications summoned in their defense fall flat. The decision of Mr. President to suspend the elected officials of the Rivers State Government is one of those.”
He further argued that Nigeria’s Constitution does not grant a sitting President the power to suspend elected state officials, emphasizing that such a move undermines democratic governance and federalism.
“Our country’s Constitution does not support it precisely because it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level.”
El-Rufai referenced a landmark case, Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation, in which the Supreme Court ruled against the removal of elected officials under emergency rule, affirming that such actions violate constitutional principles.
“The Supreme Court has conclusively declared the suspension of elected officials unlawful in the Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation case. It is my view that Mr. President should review this decision and return to the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law.”
Additionally, he reminded Nigerians that Tinubu himself, while in opposition, had vehemently opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of emergency rule in the North-East, even though Jonathan did not go as far as suspending elected officials.
“As an opposition figure, Senator Bola Tinubu had made his voice heard against the decision of then President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the North-East, even when that decision did not extend to the suspension of elected officials and institutions.”
The former minister urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance and respect constitutional governance, warning that Nigeria could be heading down a dangerous path reminiscent of the 1962 crisis in the old Western Region, which escalated into political turmoil.
“Let us not keep silent while the slippery slope of replicating the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962 unfolds before our very eyes.”
Calling on Nigerians and democracy advocates, El-Rufai appealed for widespread resistance to the suspension of Governor Fubara, insisting that it is a gross violation of constitutional order.
“I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to join in calling an end to this gross violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law.”
The controversy surrounding Rivers State’s political crisis has continued to deepen, with growing concerns about the implications of Tinubu’s decision on Nigeria’s democratic stability.
