A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu J.B. Garba, is currently facing the wrath of some neitizens on X after he condemned the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
The Guardian reports that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday, last week, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a prolonged face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government in the oil rich state. In declaring the emergency rule, Tinubu had suspended Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy and members of the state’s House of Assembly.
On Tuesday, while reacting to the declaration Garba expressed disapproval, saying the decision was a “bad taste for our democracy.”
He wrote, “I’m a Nigerian First. Then an APC Member. The declaration of state of emergency in such a manner in Rivers State is a bad taste for our democracy. Period!”
In response, many users on the platform rejected his opinion, with some speculating it was a prelude to him leaving the party.
“Adamu, I used to think you were one of the best analysts in Nigeria until this situation in Rivers came up. I hope you’re not jumping to conclusions based on rumors regarding your potential transition to the SDP. Let’s review the issues at hand. What behaviors from the state government and legislature prompted the president to act? What would be the expected outcomes if the president chose not to intervene?” user @Truthmatters commented.
Another user wrote, “When you get to AIT tomorrow, you can suspend him. Trash.”
A third user, @Ibikunle Ibraheem, remarked, “When one is looking for an appointment and it’s not forthcoming! My G don dey calculate, 2 years gone already! Appointment no sure oooooo!!!!!”
The Guardian further reports that Tinubu had appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
The president invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for the suspension of normal constitutional procedures during national emergencies, including danger, disasters, or terrorist attacks.
However, Garba criticised the timing of Fubara’s suspension and suggested that former Governor Nyesom Wike, whom he called an accomplice, should also have been suspended.
“No one should deny that Wike is also a principal accomplice to the political imbroglio in Rivers. If it has to come to that, the ideal thing to be done is to suspend all of them, including Wike,” Garba said.
Rivers’ sole administrator, Ibas, will remain in charge for six months while the state seeks a long-term solution.
