…Atiku and many constitutionalists, however, the core issue is not merely the lifting of the suspension but the legality of the act itself.
RIVERS, NIGERIA – The iNews Times |
Suspension once again taken center stage in Nigeria’s political discourse as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Atiku described the suspension – and even the subsequent lifting of it – as unconstitutional and a direct affront to democratic principles.
The political storm began on March 18, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following rising political tensions. As part of the intervention, the president announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all lawmakers in the state for six months -a move that stunned many Nigerians and raised concerns over executive overreach.
After the six-month suspension period elapsed, President Tinubu on Wednesday ordered the reinstatement of the governor, his deputy, and the legislators, allowing them to return to office. The decision was widely covered as a step toward restoring order in the state and resuming normal governance.
However, Atiku Abubakar was quick to react, insisting that the president never had the constitutional power to carry out such a suspension in the first place. In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, he wrote:
“Lifting the suspension of Governor Simi Fubara is nothing to cheer about. The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was done six months ago and remains illegal today. President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers.”
Atiku warned that allowing such a suspension to stand, even for a limited period, sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine Nigeria’s federal structure and democratic safeguards.
“The Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration,” he declared, emphasizing that the constitution does not give the president the authority to suspend elected state officials, no matter the political crisis at hand.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the matter, pointing out that while the president can declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Constitution, there is no clause that authorizes the suspension of elected state leaders. Some have called for judicial review to prevent similar actions from recurring in future political disputes.
Observers say the Rivers crisis – from the initial suspension to the eventual reinstatement – remains one of the most divisive issues of 2025. With Governor Fubara and lawmakers now back in office, attention has shifted to whether the state government can overcome months of political instability and deliver effective governance.
For Atiku and many constitutionalists, however, the core issue is not merely the lifting of the suspension but the legality of the act itself. They argue that if such suspensions go unchallenged, Nigeria risks normalizing unconstitutional interventions in state affairs, thereby weakening democracy.
As Rivers State navigates the aftermath of this unprecedented suspension, all eyes will be on its leaders to see whether peace and stability can be maintained — and whether this episode will prompt constitutional reforms that clarify the limits of presidential power during crises.
