The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has strongly condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democratic governance.
While speaking on Channels Television, Osigwe emphasized that no president has the legal authority to unilaterally suspend a democratically elected official, warning that such an action undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
“It can never be right for a president or any executive authority to suspend a sitting governor. The constitution does not grant such powers, and any attempt to do so is a direct violation of democratic norms,” Osigwe stated.
Governor Fubara’s suspension comes amid a deepening political crisis in Rivers State. The governor has been embroiled in a power struggle with members of the State House of Assembly, who are largely loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike. The tension has escalated into a full-blown political standoff, with attempts to impeach Fubara in the past.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Fubara is widely seen as an intervention favoring Wike’s loyalists, further fueling political divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state’s political landscape.
Fubara’s suspension has sparked outrage across the country, with lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly strongly condemning the move. Many have described it as unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent that could threaten the autonomy of state governments.
Prominent lawmakers and political analysts argue that any action against an elected governor must strictly follow constitutional provisions, which outline clear procedures for impeachment or removal through legal and legislative processes.
Beyond the legal community, civil society groups and concerned citizens have also expressed strong disapproval, warning that the move could erode Nigeria’s democratic institutions if not challenged.
More Read
As tensions continue to rise, Osigwe and other legal experts have urged all political actors to respect the rule of law and democratic principles. He called on the judiciary to play its role in safeguarding constitutional governance, ensuring that no individual or institution exceeds its legal authority.
With the controversy still unfolding, political observers are closely monitoring the situation to see whether legal action will be taken to challenge the president’s decision and what impact this political crisis will have on governance in Rivers State and beyond.
