Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has said it will take legal action against the Nigerian Government over the suspension of one of its own.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu; as well as members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Tinubu then appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of the state, swore him in and the national assembly gave approval to the actions using voice vote.
The PDP governors argued that the President’s actions were unconstitutional and threatened Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Seeking legal intervention, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
Makinde, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The governor said: “I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction. We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”