President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State has been sharply denounced by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who has called it a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Kwankwaso said in a statement issued on Thursday that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state lawmakers was a major violation of democratic values and an abuse of executive power.
In light of his experiences in the 1992–1993 National Assembly, Kwankwaso issued a warning against making the same mistakes in the past, where legislators put internal power conflicts ahead of defending democratic institutions.
“My initial silence was motivated by my desire to let the authorities and parties involved in the conflict do what is right,” Kwankwaso stated, adding that he has been closely monitoring events in Rivers State over the last two days.
He did, however, express shock at Tinubu’s decision to remove elected officials from office without consulting anyone, claiming that it was against the constitution and directly threatened Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
The 10th National Assembly, according to Kwankwaso, failed to respect democratic values and served as a rubber stamp for executive abuses.
“The legislature should not always follow the executive’s lead; it has a duty to keep it accountable. He said, “It is disgusting to see this 10th Assembly turn into a rubber stamp more than any of its predecessors.”
He also criticized the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency, saying that it was not transparent and that due process was compromised by using a voice vote on such a significant matter.
Kwankwaso Demands Freedom of the Judiciary
The former governor of Kano also urged the courts to stand up to outside pressure and declare their independence. Judges should make sure their decisions are fair, Kwankwaso said, adding, “Our judiciary must wake up to its responsibility of calming nerves by delivering judgments devoid of any hint of external influence.” Kwankwaso cautioned that Tinubu’s actions would pave the way for more federal meddling in regional government by creating a risky precedent for states headed by the opposition.
People in opposition-led states are now in a state of confusion as a result of this declaration and the Attorney General of the Federation’s following statements. It creates a risky precedent for the Head of State to strengthen his hold on states that are not as politically aligned with the center,” he said.
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As a longtime supporter of democracy, he also opposed the military’s role in Rivers State governance, saying Tinubu should be aware of the risks associated with restoring military power in Nigerian politics.
The advancements we have made over the last 26 years are at risk if the military is called into leadership roles, according to Kwankwaso, a lawmaker who takes pride in protecting democracy.
Kwankwaso reminded President Tinubu of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts to keep the military confined to their barracks, warning that reversing this trend could have long-term negative consequences for Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Concluding his statement, Kwankwaso urged the federal government to reconsider its actions, asserting that the political situation in Rivers State did not justify such drastic measures.
“I am of the view that the political situation on the ground in Rivers does not justify such a flawed interpretation of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution. This action constitutes an unconstitutional overreach, and if unchecked, it could foster a culture of impunity,” he warned.
