• Coalition cautions Tinubu on Wike’s antics
Major Stakeholders, including the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), have condemned the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu on Rivers State, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months.
The CNPP, in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Conference, James Ezema, argued that the action was a blatant violation of the 1999 Constitution and an abuse of power.
The Kaduna chapter of the party, in another statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Sani Suleiman, also faulted the President’s action.
It demanded the “immediate reversal of the governor’s suspension and restoration of all democratically elected structures in Rivers State.”
CUPP leaders, including Peter Ameh, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, and Mark Adebayo, in a statement, rejected the justification offered by the President, insisting that the declaration was politically motivated, and aimed at consolidating power.
It described the exercise as a “democratic coup” and a blatant violation of the 1999 Constitution.
The coalition vowed to challenge the decision in court, insisting that it poses a grave threat to the country’s constitutional democracy.
In yet another statement, the NNPP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, faulted the declaration, describing it as an “unconstitutional and reckless political decision that sets a dangerous precedent.”
The party, after reviewing the political situation in the oil-rich state, argued that the crisis had not escalated to a level that warranted such drastic action, adding that except for the inherent political interest in the state, a more reasonable solution could have been applied rather than the emergency rule.
It denounced the President’s action as politically motivated, warning that it threatens democracy, and undermines the rule of law.
Johnson said: “The presidential fiat invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution is arbitrary in the circumstances, to say the least, particularly on the conditions precedent and implications for democracy and development of the country.”
The PRP, on its part, called on the National Assembly to review Tinubu’s declaration, saying the move may amount to an impeachable offence.
The party described the decision as unconstitutional, noting that it undermines the nation’s democratic institutions, and constitutes a serious breach of the 1999 Constitution, which it said, serves as the bedrock of Nigeria’s governance.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, the party maintained that Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly was an abuse of executive power that must not go unchallenged.
HOWEVER, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), yesterday, cautioned the President on the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former state governor, Nyesom Wike.
It urged Tinubu to approach the situation with wisdom and restraint, warning that an emotional or miscalculated response could fuel unrest in the Niger Delta.
In a statement, the National Coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, warned that Wike’s actions were allegedly driven by self-interest rather than the welfare of the people.
He implored Tinubu to maintain a clear boundary, ensuring that Wike’s burdens do not encumber his leadership.
