Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the recent removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the development as a blatant breach of Nigeria’s constitution.
Speaking at the 9th Edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) Annual Leadership Discourse in Lagos on Thursday, Amaechi expressed concern over what he termed “the institutional weakness” of the National Assembly, which he accused of aiding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in establishing an “illegal government.”
“The president didn’t just break the law — he broke the constitution,” Amaechi said. “The constitution is the Bible of a nation. Its sanctity must be preserved, yet we have watched it desecrated without consequence.”
The event, themed “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” brought together thought leaders and politicians to discuss leadership in the face of Nigeria’s current challenges.
Amaechi, who did not mince words, warned Nigerians against passivity in the face of bad governance. He described citizens’ docility as a key enabler of poor leadership and arbitrary rule.
“There is no need for courageous leadership where systems work. It is only in the absence of effective governance that courage becomes necessary,” he said. “What we are witnessing today is governance by the whims of individuals, not by the rule of law. A governor is removed, a military figure is appointed, and the country moves on as if nothing happened.”
He further criticised what he described as authoritarian tendencies in leadership, where decisions are made without due consultation or respect for the law. According to him, such trends have become increasingly common in Nigeria due to the lack of accountability and institutional strength.
In a contrasting view, 2015 PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje said fearless leadership can only thrive in an enabling environment where citizens are assured of basic social services, regardless of political stance.
“When you speak truth to power in Nigeria, your family often suffers the consequences — access to healthcare, education, and welfare can be cut off. That shouldn’t be,” Agbaje stated. “In countries where fearless leadership thrives, it’s because the system guarantees protection and survival.”
AAF convener, Akinjide Adeosun, emphasized the need for a shift in Nigeria’s leadership culture.
“There must be a paradigm shift from bad to good, good to great, and great to excellent,” Adeosun said. “Fearless leadership should lead to the provision of clean water, stable electricity, security, and industrial development.”
The event underscored a growing call for principled governance, respect for the constitution, and institutional reforms to uphold democracy in Nigeria.
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