Rivers: Why Tinubu's State of Emergency Declaration Stands, Amaechi Speaks Up

• Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers governor, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu violated the law with the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers
• Amaechi also faulted the National Assembly, adding that the weakness of the legislature made Tinubu's action effective
• The former minister, who was not happy with the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, claimed that the Senate was a weak institution that supported Tinubu's illegality

Lagos - The former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has again lamented the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, insisting that President Bola Tinubu violated the constitution by declaring a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

Amaechi, who was also a former governor of Rivers, explained that President Tinubu's action remained effective because of the weakness of the National Assembly. He further alleged that the Senate was a weak institution that supported Tinubu in installing an illegal government in the state.

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Rivers: Where Amaechi has criticised Tinubu

According to Vanguard, the former governor spoke at the 9th edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) annual leadership discourse, titled “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” which was held in Lagos on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

He then called on Nigerians to be active in their reaction against poor governance in the country, adding that being docile allows poor leadership to thrive.

Amaechi, who contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election against President Tinubu, maintained that there was no such thing as a fearless and courageous leader. He questioned whether Nigerians needed a courageous leader when the system was functioning effectively.

He argued that the demand for fearless leadership only arose in a system where leadership had failed the people. According to him, fearless leadership was not recognised as a legitimate leadership trait. He explained that the authoritarian leadership style was characterised by a leader who believed they knew everything, issued directives without consultation, and expected unquestioning compliance.

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Amaechi speaks on leadership

According to the former governor, there is only "a fearless followership or a docile followership." He further explained that good governance is about constitutionality and the rule of law. He stated that it constituted a separation of powers.

He argued that arbitrariness comes into play when the rule of law and good governance are absent, adding that arbitrariness in this parlance was all about the non-observance of the basic principles of the law. He said President Tinubu did not just break the law, but the constitution.

His statement reads in part:

"The constitution of a country is the Bible of that country. And its sanctity must be protected. Can we say the same in Nigeria? The response would be a resounding no. The president looked at the whole of Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man, yet the country continued. Nothing happened."

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Court denies sacking Rivers' sole administrator

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Rivers state judiciary dismissed the report that it issued an order to annul the appointment of a sole administrator in the state.

Chief Registrar David Ihua-Maduenyi, in a statement on Thursday, April 17, 2025, clarified that the court did not issue an order to immediately resume the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The judiciary then urged the public to disregard the report that it gave an injunction on the subject matter, adding that it was false.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng