Governors from Nigeria’s opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the move as a “grievous mistake” and a threat to democracy.
In a statement on Wednesday, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, condemned Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers and appoint a retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as administrator.
Mohammed accused the president of turning a blind eye to the role of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in the state’s ongoing political crisis.
“He [Wike] has become a law unto himself because he was playing out your script. Now we know. This is totally unstatemanly, biased, and divisive,” he said.
“We state categorically that this unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties is today, the greatest threat to democracy in our dear country, Nigeria and it is an ill wind that will blow no one any good.
The PDP governors warned that the suspension of the state government could worsen Nigeria’s political and economic stability. “This unwarranted but premeditated attack on Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party is the greatest threat to democracy in our country,” the statement read.