3 Times Fubara Abused the Rule of Law – Tinubu
The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn, with President Bola Tinubu stepping in to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, March 18, Tinubu explained that despite efforts to restore peace, the conflict had only escalated. He outlined three instances where he believed Fubara had violated the rule of law, leading to the suspension.
Demolition of the state assembly complex
One of the most controversial moves by Governor Fubara was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023. According to Tinubu, this act was “unjustifiable” and a clear violation of democratic principles.
The demolition happened shortly after the Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to Fubara’s political rival, Nyesom Wike, attempted to impeach him. Fubara defended the action by claiming the building had structural defects.
However, Tinubu pointed out that more than a year later, the complex had not been rebuilt, leaving the state legislature in disarray. The president argued that this move was a deliberate attempt to weaken the legislative arm and consolidate power.
Ignoring a Supreme Court Judgment
Another key violation Tinubu highlighted was Fubara’s refusal to implement a Supreme Court judgment related to the state budget. The court had ruled that the governor needed to re-present the budget to the House of Assembly, ensuring proper legislative approval.
However, Fubara allegedly disregarded this ruling, which the president described as an outright disregard for the rule of law.
The failure to recognize the authority of the Assembly, Tinubu stated, meant that Rivers State was effectively being run without legislative oversight. According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, this created a situation where Fubara was governing as “a despot,” bypassing democratic processes entirely.
Failing to Disown Militant Threats
The third issue raised by Tinubu involved threats from militant groups aligned with Fubara’s supporters. On March 5, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) issued a warning that they would disrupt oil production in the Niger Delta if Fubara was impeached. These threats raised concerns about security in the region.
According to Tinubu, Fubara did not publicly condemn these threats or distance himself from the militants. By failing to act, he was seen as indirectly endorsing their actions. Security reports later revealed that some groups had already begun vandalizing pipelines, escalating tensions in the state.
What you should know
In his speech, President Tinubu stated that the situation in Rivers had gone beyond political disagreements. The absence of a functioning legislature, the defiance of court rulings, and the security threats created a crisis that required immediate intervention.
By suspending the state’s leadership and declaring a state of emergency, Tinubu argued that he was acting to protect democracy and restore order.
The crisis in Rivers State is far from over. With Fubara and his allies removed from office for six months, the question now is whether this action will bring stability or further deepen the political divide.
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