The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the lifting the suspension on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the state House of Assembly is not worth celebrating.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
On June 3, Fubara paid a visit to the President at his residence in Lagos State.
That made it the second time Fubara and Tinubu would be meeting behind closed doors, after his suspension.
Fubara also met with Wike to settle their rift and attended several functions together.
Following the meeting, Wike confirmed that the political rift between him and Fubara has been resolved.
On Wednesday, Tinubu ended the emergency rule in the state and asked Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume work on Thursday, September 18.
In a post via his official X handle on Thursday, Atiku described the president’s initial action as unconstitutional and it is still illegal today.
The former vice-president said Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers.
He wrote, “Lifting the suspension of Governor Simi Fubara is nothing to cheer about. “The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was done six months ago and is still illegal today.
“President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers. The Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration.”
