Nollywood actor and former Labour Party spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labelling it illegal and unconstitutional.
In reaction to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, Okonkwo accused Tinubu of overstepping his powers.
“State of Emergency Should Not Remove Elected Leaders”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the lawyer and actor argued that a state of emergency should not involve the removal of democratically elected officials. He cited former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2013 emergency declaration in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, where elected structures remained intact despite security challenges.
“Security of Nigeria is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government, which controls all security agencies,” Okonkwo wrote. “The Governor has no police force under his command. Blaming Fubara for security failures is misplaced.”
“A Gang-Up Against the Governor”
Okonkwo further alleged that the crisis in Rivers is a result of powerful political figures attempting to control the state’s finances.
“There is a gang-up of state looters against a Governor who refused to hand them the key to the purse of Rivers State. Since they failed to remove him through the usual means, they are now using the President to do it through the back door,” he stated.
Calls for National Assembly Intervention
The former Labour Party spokesperson called on the National Assembly to reject the President’s decision, insisting that it sets a dangerous precedent.
“It is unfortunate that a sitting President would assist in undermining democracy. All democratic forces must rise against this unconstitutional act,” he urged.
As debates continue over the legality and implications of Tinubu’s move, political stakeholders and legal experts are weighing in on whether the state of emergency in Rivers is justified or a dangerous overreach of executive power.
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