The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Bode George has condemned the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State. He cautioned that these actions are against the constitution and could lead the country into a more severe political crisis. Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, resulting in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The president later appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the Sole Administrator for the state. In an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Chief George voiced his concerns regarding President Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected officials without following proper procedures.
“We must tread carefully. Was there significant violence in Rivers State that justified such an emergency? Absolutely not,” George remarked, drawing parallels to the 1962 crisis in the Western Region, which played a role in Nigeria’s slide into military coups and civil conflict. Further elaborating, he pointed out the actions of previous administrations. “When former President Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, no governors or elected officials were dismissed, even in the face of violence in those areas,” he noted.
He pointed out that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo suspended Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, the circumstances were different, emphasizing that the current situation in Rivers State does not warrant the same response. George condemned what he described as a rushed and one-sided decision. “You can’t issue a gazette and then seek parliamentary approval afterward. That’s not how constitutional democracy operates,” he stated.
He warned that history is dangerously repeating itself and asked President Tinubu to exercise caution. “What’s happening now reminds me of 1962.” During a discussion on internal party issues, George voiced his displeasure with Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the former governor of Rivers State, accusing him of betraying the PDP. “He has crossed a significant boundary.
Revoking the party secretariat’s Certificate of Occupancy is akin to taking away your father’s home,” he stated, voicing his disappointment over Wike’s alliance with the All Progressives Congress-led government. He also raised concerns about the lack of response from PDP lawmakers during the National Assembly’s approval of the contentious suspension. “Where were the opposing voices? Where were the lawmakers from the opposition? We need to seriously question that,” he remarked. George urged Nigerians to stay calm and prayerful, warning that further political irresponsibility could lead to national unrest. “Let us remain prayerful, especially during this sacred time of Ramadan and Lent,” he emphasized. He called on the residents of Rivers State to maintain peace and abide by the law. “Do not succumb to provocation. Ultimately, the people will have the final say,” he concluded.