ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the development as a dangerous precedent capable of weakening Nigeria’s democracy and emboldening federal overreach.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused President Bola Tinubu of handling the Rivers political crisis with a “political strategy” that undermines constitutional governance and distorts the balance of power between federal and state authorities.
“On Wednesday, 17 September, Nigerians witnessed a curious spectacle: President Tinubu directing the Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the State Assembly in Rivers State to ‘resume’ duties after serving his six-month suspension from office,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that such actions amounted to the President assuming powers not granted under the constitution, warning that it was a direct assault on the rule of law.
“The President’s decision to arrogate to himself the power to suspend and recall elected officials in Rivers State is whimsically autocratic and should be recognised and condemned as a threat to our democracy,” Abdullahi declared.
The ADC maintained that the Rivers crisis was less about safeguarding democracy and more about raw political maneuvering, cautioning that if unchecked, it could embolden future abuses of executive power.
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