As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation.
Engr. Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has referred to the declaration of emergency rule that President Bola Tinubu made on Tuesday in Rivers State as an illegality that any Nigerian who is of sound mind must oppose.
Makinde stated that it was vital to speak out against anything that undermines the progress of the nation, even if it requires one to stand alone.
IREPORT247NEW reports that President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months on Tuesday due to the ongoing political issue in the state.
In the statement released on Thursday, Governor Makinde said, “As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.
“This is why I stand today to say that the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice. And I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.”
On Wednesday, IREPORT247NEW published the statement released by PDP in which the party expressed its objection to what it referred to as a outright violation of the Constitution of 1999 and an attempt to impose an unelected administration on the people inhabiting Rivers State.
It reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State
“The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State.
“The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.
Read more https://ireport247news.com/2025/03/19/pdp-rejects-rivers-emergency-rule/