Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has charged Nigerians to actively defend the nation’s democracy in light of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Gatekeepers News reports that Abubakar shared his views during a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, which included other notable political figures such as Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo State.
Abubakar emphasised that the responsibility to uphold democracy does not rest solely on opposition parties, but is a collective duty for all citizens to oppose what he termed a “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.
The declaration of a state of emergency was announced by President Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, citing ongoing political turmoil in the state. As part of this declaration, the president suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state house of assembly, and appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state.
Abubakar has called for the immediate reversal of the emergency rule and the reinstatement of the governor, his deputy, and the House of Assembly to restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly of Rivers state,” he said.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.
“We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.
“We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.
“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action, by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country.
“The historical unrest in the Niger Delta should not be forgotten so soon. Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.
“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”
