A Dangerous Power Grab” – Peter Obi Blasts Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers

 

In a fiery condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has blasted the move as “unconstitutional and reckless,” accusing the president of orchestrating a dangerous assault on democracy.

 

Obi, in a statement on Wednesday via X, warned that Tinubu’s actions signal a return to authoritarian rule, calling the emergency declaration a backdoor imposition of martial law designed to consolidate power rather than restore order.

 

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs,” Obi asserted.

 

He further argued that the crisis in Rivers does not justify suspending an elected governor and lawmakers, slamming the move as a biased interpretation of the constitution.

 

“A state of emergency does not mean an elected governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance,” he stated, suggesting the move serves “specific interests rather than the collective good of the people.

 

Obi’s remarks have intensified the growing backlash against Tinubu’s administration, with opposition figures and civil rights groups calling the emergency rule a direct attack on Nigeria’s fragile democracy.As political tensions escalate, Rivers State has become the latest battleground in a high-stakes fight over power and constitutional legitimacy.