YPP CONDEMNS UNCONSTITUTIONAL SUSPENSION OF GOVERNOR SIM FUBARA, HIS DEPUTY, AND STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS FOLLOWING STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) condemns, in the strongest terms, the unconstitutional suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers state, Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly following the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
We unequivocally affirm that there is no provision in Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, under which the President purportedly derived his powers, that allows for the suspension or removal of a democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or members of a State House of Assembly in the event of a state of emergency. The actions taken by President Tinubu are a blatant disregard for constitutional principles and represent a dangerous overreach of executive power.
It is alarming that President Tinubu has chosen to disregard a more recent precedent set by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States without removing or suspending the elected Governors. Instead, President Tinubu has opted to follow the unconstitutional and highly controversial precedent set by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the removal of the Governors of Ekiti and Plateau States.
This move is nothing short of mischievous and reeks of an attempt to undermine democratic institutions for political expediency. By taking such an action, President Tinubu is putting our democracy at risk and setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the very essence of our electoral system. We strongly believe that the suspension of elected representatives violates the will of the people, and it must not be allowed to stand.
We call on all Nigerians to recognize the gravity of this unconstitutional act and to stand in defense of democracy. This is a defining moment for our country, and we cannot afford to allow the erosion of democratic norms.
President Tinubu has now, regrettably, become everything he once stood against when he was in opposition. This action confirms the timeless adage: absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We demand the immediate reversal of this unlawful suspension and the restoration of democratic order in the affected state. The people of the state have spoken through their votes, and their will must be respected.
Signed,
Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins
National Publicity Secretary
Young Progressives Party.
