Rivers emergency rule aggression against democracy, El-Rufai says

Former Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai has berated President Bola Tinubu over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and other elected officials in the South-South state.

In a statement issued via his X handle on Wednesday, El-Rufai described the decision as “wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law”.

El-Rufai, however, acknowledged the need for urgent action to address security challenges in Rivers but argued that declaring a state of emergency should not lead to the dismantling of democratic structures.

He wrote, “There are things that are so clearly wrong that the justifications summoned in their defence fall flat. The decision of Mr. President to suspend the elected officials of the Rivers State Government is one of those.

“Our country’s Constitution does not support it precisely because it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level.

“The responsibilities of a president are heavy and extensive, but they are constrained by the Constitution and the law and certainly do not include firing persons who were elected.

“The security issues cited in the President’s speech surely deserve the most serious attention and sustained efforts to contain the threats and preserve vital national infrastructure.

“That is a duty that we ought to vigorously support the security agencies to successfully discharge.”

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory argued that the Constitution does not grant a President the power to remove elected state officials.

He noted that the Supreme Court had previously ruled such actions unlawful in the case of Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation.

He added, “Extending the provisions of such an emergency regime to include the dismantling of democratic structures is a wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law.

“The Supreme Court has conclusively declared the suspension of elected officials unlawful in the Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation.

“It is my view that Mr. President should review this decision and return to the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law.”

The former minister urged Tinubu to reconsider his decision and adhere to constitutional principles and appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to call for the reversal of the suspension.

“As an opposition figure, Senator Bola Tinubu had made his voice heard against the decision of then President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the North-East, even when that decision did not extend to the suspension of elected officials and institutions.

“A similar reconsideration is warranted in this case to contain the damage done to the people of Rivers State, and restore the Federal Government to compliance with the Constitution.

“Let us not keep silent while the slippery slope of replicating the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962 unfold before our very eyes.

“I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to join in calling an end to this gross violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law,” he added.