“Declaration of Emergency in Rivers is an Illegality” – Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, calling the move an unconstitutional act that must be opposed by all right-thinking Nigerians.

President Tinubu had earlier this week suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, subsequently appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of the state.

Reacting through his biweekly newsletter, *The Business of Governance* (Issue 110), Governor Makinde stated, “I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.”

He stressed that democratic principles must be protected, regardless of personal loyalties or political differences. “Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice,” he said.

Makinde also praised the Peoples Democratic Party for taking a firm stance on the matter, revealing that the PDP Governors’ Forum has decided to challenge the President’s actions in court. “We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” he added.