El-Rufai Slams Tinubu Over Rivers State Emergency Move: A Step Too Far?

El-Rufai Challenges Tinubu's Decision: A Blow to Democratic Principles?

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stepped into the political ring with some sharp words for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a move that has sparked national debate, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. This bold action, announced during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, didn't sit well with El-Rufai, who swiftly fired back with a strongly worded statement late Wednesday night.

According to Naija News, the President's decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. But El-Rufai isn't just another critic; he's a seasoned political figure with a history of speaking his mind, and this time, he's not holding back. His argument is clear: the Nigerian Constitution doesn't give the President the authority to suspend governors. He believes such actions are a direct threat to the delicate balance of democratic federalism in the country.

Why El-Rufai Thinks Tinubu Crossed the Line

El-Rufai argues that while declaring a state of emergency to address security challenges in Rivers State might be justified, the suspension of elected officials goes too far. He points out that the Nigerian Constitution is designed to prevent precisely this kind of overreach. The President, El-Rufai insists, has a weighty and wide-ranging set of responsibilities, but they are strictly limited by the Constitution and the law. Firing elected officials is simply not part of the job description.

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In his statement, El-Rufai elaborates: "There are moments when actions are so glaringly wrong that no amount of justification can make them right. President Tinubu's decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State is one of those moments. Our Constitution was crafted with care to prevent an elected president from wielding unchecked power to dismiss state-level officials. The President's duties are vast, but they are bound by the Constitution and the law, and they certainly don't include firing individuals who were democratically elected by the people."

He continues, "The security concerns raised by the President deserve our utmost attention and sustained effort to resolve. This is something we should all support. However, extending the provisions of a state of emergency to dismantle democratic structures is a blatant attack on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The Supreme Court has already ruled that suspending elected officials is unconstitutional, as seen in the landmark case of Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation."

A Call for Reconsideration: Back to the Constitution

El-Rufai isn't just criticizing for the sake of it. He's urging President Tinubu to rethink his decision and return to the principles of constitutional governance and the rule of law. Drawing on history, he reminds everyone that Senator Tinubu, as an opposition figure, once opposed a similar move by then-President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the North-East. Even that decision didn't involve the suspension of elected officials. El-Rufai believes the current situation calls for the same level of reconsideration to mitigate the damage done to the people of Rivers State and restore the Federal Government's compliance with the Constitution.

He concludes with a passionate appeal: "We must not remain silent as the echoes of past mistakes in emergency rule, like those in the old Western Region in 1962, begin to resurface. I call on all patriots and voices of reason to join me in condemning this gross violation of the Constitution and the erosion of the rule of law. It's time to stand up for what's right and protect the democratic values we hold dear."