Rotimi Amaechi Accuses President Tinubu of Violating Nigeria’s Constitution in Rivers State Crisis
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu of breaching Nigeria’s constitution by removing the elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and declaring a state of emergency in the state. This bold claim came during his speech at the 9th Edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) Annual Leadership Discourse, held in Lagos under the theme “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development.”
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, expressed his concerns over the actions taken by President Tinubu, insisting that the decision to remove a democratically elected governor and place the state under a state of emergency was not only unconstitutional but a breach of Nigeria’s sacred constitution.
“The president didn’t break any law, he broke the constitution,” Amaechi stated, lamenting that the sanctity of the country’s constitution had been violated. He further criticized the ineffectiveness of the National Assembly, calling the Red Chamber a “very weak institution” for aiding Tinubu in carrying out what he deemed an illegal action.
Amaechi emphasized that in a true democracy, the constitution should be upheld above all, as it serves as the “Bible” of the nation. He lamented the failure to protect this cornerstone of governance, stating that the president’s actions demonstrated that “government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader.”
The Rivers State crisis began when Tinubu removed Governor Fubara, a move that shocked many, as it represented a direct intervention in the state’s leadership. Fubara, who was duly elected, was replaced by a military appointee, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic practices in the country.
Amaechi’s remarks come as part of a broader political debate about the current administration’s handling of power and the growing concerns over the strength of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. His comments have fueled discussions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, as well as the role of the judiciary in ensuring constitutional compliance.
“The president looked at the whole Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man,” Amaechi said. “Yet, the country continued. Nothing happened.”
His words underscore the growing disillusionment among some political figures and citizens who are concerned about the growing centralization of power and the weakening of democratic checks and balances in Nigeria.
