Leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on the judiciary to rise to its constitutional duty in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Kwankwaso in a statement on Friday morning, expressed deep concern over the suspension of Governor Similayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state legislators, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Kwankwaso who was widely criticised over his silence on the developments in Rivers State, said he closely followed developments in the past two days, but his “initial silence was informed by the desire to let the authorities and parties in the conflict to do what is right”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he drew parallels between the current situation and the events of 1992/93, which led to the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
He recalled how the National Assembly at the time failed to hold the executive accountable, contributing to a political crisis that still resonates today. “Our failure to uphold our responsibilities as legislators allowed executive excesses to flourish, leading to the sad events that define our political history,” he stated.
Kwankwaso criticised the 10th National Assembly for its swift ratification of President Tinubu’s proclamation, describing the process as lacking transparency and constitutional integrity.
“The use of a voice vote instead of a proper, transparent method undermines our democracy. The Constitution is clear on how such critical decisions should be made,” he emphasized.
He particularly charged the judiciary to act as an impartial arbiter in the conflict, urging them to ensure fairness and justice. “The judiciary must rise to the occasion and live up to its responsibility. Their decisions must be free from external influence to calm tensions and restore trust in the rule of law,” Kwankwaso said.
The former governor also expressed alarm over the deployment of the military to assume leadership roles in Rivers State, warning that such actions could erode Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“Bringing the military closer to power is a dangerous step backward. It contradicts the efforts of past leaders like President Olusegun Obasanjo, who worked to keep the military out of politics,” he noted.
Kwankwaso further argued that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, based on what he called a “flawed interpretation” of Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution, sets a dangerous precedent for opposition-led states. “This action is not only unconstitutional but also a recipe for anarchy. It sends a chilling message to states that do not align politically with the federal government,” he stated.
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