Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Former Abia State governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Chibuike Ukauwa, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership style, describing it as dictatorial and detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy.
Ukauwa, speaking recently in Port Harcourt, condemned the President’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State—a move approved by the National Assembly last week. He accused Tinubu of governing with impunity, warning that such actions threaten the nation’s stability and democratic values.
President Tinubu had justified the extraordinary measure by citing constitutional breaches and security concerns, appointing retired Naval Chief Ibok Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State. However, Ukauwa described the decision as a direct assault on constitutional democracy, arguing that the President lacks the legal authority to suspend a duly elected governor.
“The administration has turned Nigeria into a lawless state. Suspending Governor Sim Fubara and other elected officials under the guise of emergency rule is an abuse of power,” Ukauwa stated. He further accused the President of interfering in the Rivers political crisis to favor a particular individual at the expense of the state’s citizens.
He also took aim at the National Assembly, labeling the swift approval of the emergency rule as a betrayal of public trust. According to him, federal lawmakers have become “puppets in the hands of the President,” rubber-stamping what he termed unconstitutional actions.
“The APC-controlled National Assembly has legitimized impunity by endorsing an unconstitutional emergency rule, despite widespread opposition from Nigerians,” Ukauwa asserted.
He urged Governor Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to embrace dialogue in resolving their political differences. Additionally, he called on Nigerians to rise in defense of democracy, warning that continued constitutional violations could lead to the collapse of the nation’s democratic system.
Comments