The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
According to Daily Trust, in a statement released on Thursday, Kwankwaso expressed deep concern over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state legislators, calling the move a clear overreach of executive power.
Reflecting on his experience in the 1992/93 National Assembly, Kwankwaso warned against repeating past mistakes, where lawmakers were preoccupied with internal power struggles instead of safeguarding democratic institutions.
“I have closely followed developments in Rivers State in the past two days, and my initial silence was informed by the desire to let the authorities and parties in the conflict do what is right,” he stated.
However, he said he was perturbed by Tinubu’s unilateral decision to remove elected officials from office, stressing that such an action violates the constitution and undermines democracy.
Kwankwaso accused the 10th National Assembly of failing to uphold democratic principles and acting as a rubber stamp for executive excesses.
“The legislature has the responsibility to hold the executive accountable, not always play to its tune. It is appalling to see this 10th Assembly become more of a rubber stamp than any of its predecessors,” he said.
He further condemned the manner in which the National Assembly approved the state of emergency, arguing that using a voice vote on such a critical issue lacked transparency and undermined due process.
The former Kano governor also called on the judiciary to uphold its independence, urging judges to resist external influence and deliver fair and just rulings.
“Our judiciary must wake up to its responsibility of calming nerves by delivering judgments devoid of any hint of external influence,” he said.
Kwankwaso warned that President Tinubu’s actions could set a dangerous precedent for opposition-led states, creating fear and uncertainty about federal interference.
“This proclamation and the subsequent pronouncements by the Attorney General of the Federation have now sent numerous people in opposition-led states into disarray. It sets a dangerous precedent for how the Head of State can tighten his grip on states that do not share the same political standing with the center,” he warned.
He also criticised the involvement of the military, stating that Tinubu, as a longtime advocate of democracy, should understand the dangers of reintroducing military influence into governance.
“For a politician who prides himself as a defender of democracy, drafting the military into a position of leadership is dangerous to the progress we have made in the past 26 years,” he noted.
He further reminded 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 consequences.
Kwankwaso concluded by urging the federal government to reconsider its actions, emphasising that the political situation in Rivers did not warrant 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.
