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PDP Governors raise cry, alleging that President Tinubu’s declaration in Rivers State is biased and favoured FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike.
In a recent twist of event, governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Favouring the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing political turmoil.
The PDP governor’s forum condemned the decision of President Tinubu over the Rivers crisis and showed solidarity with Fubara.
The Forum said, “At this very difficult and trying moment in the state’s political history. There is no other time that our philosophy of ‘TOUCH ONE, TOUCH ALL’ is more apt than now.”
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They argued that the President enabled FCT minister Wike, as the minister’s actions are part of a broader strategy orchestrated by the president, and labelled Tinubu’s silence on Wike’s involvement as golden and enabling
READ ALSO: National Assembly Confirms Tinubu Consulted Leaders Before Rivers Emergency, Akpabio, Others Supported
“He who goes to the court of equity must go with clean hands. Mr. President, your silence on the active role played by your Minister of the FCT in the Rivers impasse is golden and enabling. He has become a law unto himself because he is playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatesmanlike, biased, and divisive.”
Recall that President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Tinubu further appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s administrator during this period.
The PDP Governor’s forum led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, in reaction to the declaration of the president issued a statement expressing grave concern over the suspension of Gov. Fubara in Rivers State.
The forum described the president’s actions as “unwarranted” and a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy, and said,
“We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and other opposition parties is today the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria. It is an ill wind that will blow no one any good. It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard-won democracy but will exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, destroy the economy, and undermine our national cohesion and stability.”
The forum’s statement emphasized that the action of the president was biased and unaccepted as the President indulged Wike and his crooked activities in the political instability of Rivers State.
They categorically told the President that Wike has become “a law unto himself” because he is “playing out your script,” (President Tinubu). They criticized this approach as being “unstatemanly, biased, and divisive,” warning that it could exacerbate national crises and undermine stability.
Also, The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed their opinion over the president’s actions, particularly the suspension of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule.
The NBA stated that such act must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits and described the removal of elected officials in this context as “unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
The PDP Governors’ Forum in line with the NBA seeks judicial interpretation of Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which pertains to the declaration of a state of emergency.
They argued that the current situation in Rivers State does not warrant such extreme measures and that the president’s actions are a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy.
The PDP governors further called on President Tinubu to reverse the suspension of Governor Fubara and other democratic structures and urged the him to listen to wise counsel, acknowledge the perceived mistakes, and allow democratic processes to prevail.
They also warned that failure to do so could result into national crises, escalate insecurity and economy instability.
