Reuben Abati: Tinubu’s Actions Violate Constitutional Law

State of Emergency: Implications of Fubara’s Suspension

​Political analyst and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it an “impeachable offence.” During a segment on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Abati argued that the President overstepped constitutional boundaries by suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly. ​

Abati contended that the Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President authority to unilaterally remove a sitting governor or dissolve a state legislature. He emphasized that such actions violate the constitutional separation of powers and undermine democratic principles.

Furthermore, Abati highlighted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) lacks the constitutional mandate to legislate on behalf of a state’s House of Assembly, even under a state of emergency. He noted that only the National Assembly possesses such legislative powers in these circumstances, making the President’s directive both unconstitutional and an overreach of executive authority.

This critique adds to the growing discourse on the legality and implications of the emergency rule in Rivers State, with various stakeholders expressing concerns over potential executive overreach and the preservation of Nigeria’s federal structure.