FLASHBACK: How Tinubu Opposed Obasanjo, Jonathan’s State Of Emergency Declarations, Says It’s Destructive Path, Unconstitutional
Tinubu, while in opposition, warned that such measures were a ploy to weaken elected state governments and suppress political opponents.
As more reactions trail President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a look into his past statements had revealed a striking contradiction to the president’s stance.
Before assuming office, Tinubu vehemently opposed similar declarations by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, describing them as “dangerous, unconstitutional, and a threat to democracy.”
Tinubu, while in opposition, warned that such measures were a ploy to weaken elected state governments and suppress political opponents.
Now, as President, he has followed the same path by suspending Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly, appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as the state’s Administrator.
In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State and removed Governor Joshua Dariye. Tinubu, then the governor of Lagos State, slammed the move as illegal and abused power.
Similarly, in 2006, Obasanjo imposed emergency rule in Ekiti State, suspending Governor Ayo Fayose over allegations of corruption. Tinubu and other opposition leaders denounced the act as undemocratic.
Years later, in 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, citing escalating Boko Haram insurgency.
Tinubu, who had by then become the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), issued a scathing statement condemning Jonathan’s action.
He described it as “a dangerous trend in the art of governance,” adding, “The body language of the Jonathan administration leads any keen watcher of events to the unmistakable conclusion of a surreptitious but barely disguised intention to muzzle the elected governments of these states for what is a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic partisanship geared towards 2015.”
Tinubu argued that the federal government was setting a precedent that could lead to chaos. “The present scenario playing out in the country reminds one of the classical cases of a mediocre craftsman who continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting,” he said.
He further warned that imposing a state of emergency would radicalise communities and lead to more significant unrest, stating, “An army which invades a community maiming, raping, and killing defenceless civilians will end up radicalizing the youths whose parents and young ones have been wiped out most cowardly and recklessly.”
According to Tinubu, Jonathan’s declaration of emergency rule was “a potentially destructive path to take.” He called on Nigerians to resist any move that “seeks to abridge or has the potential of totally scuttling the constitutional functions of Governors and other elected representatives of the people.”
Despite his past opposition, Tinubu has now taken the same steps he once criticized. In a nationwide broadcast, he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the elected governor, his deputy, and all lawmakers. He justified his decision by citing security concerns and Governor Fubara’s failure to rebuild the state House of Assembly after its demolition.
“The governor of Rivers State demolished the House of Assembly but has failed to rebuild the building till date,” Tinubu said. “Many Nigerians have intervened, and leaders of thought have intervened, all to no avail. The Supreme Court pronounced in very glaring terms that a government cannot run without an arm of government.”
He also cited reports of oil pipeline vandalism in the state, claiming that Fubara had failed to act. “Based on Section 305 of the constitution of the country, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
Tinubu’s decision has sparked outrage, with critics pointing out the glaring hypocrisy. The African Action Congress (AAC) has described it as “a coup staged against Nigerians.”
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, condemned Tinubu, stating, “Nigerians can recall that the same Tinubu wrote a lengthy epistle in 2013 blasting former President Goodluck Jonathan when he declared the same in some northern states. The hypocrisy of Tinubu stinks! Only cowards behave in this backward manner.”
Political analysts argue that Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers is politically motivated. It targets Governor Fubara, who has been in a long-standing rift with his predecessor and Tinubu’s ally, Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu, once a vocal opponent of emergency rule, is now accused of the tactics he once decried.
Nigerians are watching closely as the situation in Rivers unfolds, with many wondering if this will set a new precedent for federal overreach in state affairs.
