Atiku, Obi Insist Emergency Rule In Rivers Needless

By Ayodele Oni

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, Labour Party , (LP) have reacted to the return of democracy in Rivers state, following the end of six months emergency rule.

President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday directed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and House of Assembly to resume full duties at the expiration of six months emergency rule, following break down of law and order in the state.

The President, in his speech stated that “it therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency.

“The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025.”

Atiku wrote on his X account that rote  “Lifting the suspension of Governor Simi Fubara is nothing to cheer about.

“The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was done six months ago and is still illegal today.

“President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers. The Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration.”

Peter Obi also wrote in his social media account that “the president directed Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the House of Assembly to “resume office on Thursday, September 18.” The misstep that should not have happened,” on

“The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today. It was a constitutional breach that will hurt our democracy for a long time.

“I just hope that some lessons were learned by all the gladiators in the Rivers State impasse. Great minds remind us that ‘The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing”

“A true leader is the one who admits his/her mistakes, is smart enough to learn from them, and is strong enough to correct them.

“I would like to congratulate the good people of Rivers State for their endurance in the face of provocations.

“And to appeal to Governor Siminalaye Fubara, the members of the state House of Assembly and all the political leaders in the state to embrace peace and forge ahead.

“The real mistake is the one where we end up learning nothing. Be assured that a new Nigeria is Possible and inevitable.”