State of Emergency: Prioritize the interest of Rivers people, Peter Obi tells NASS

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on the National Assembly to prioritise the interest of the people of Rivers State when considering the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.

Obi made the call in an open letter to the leadership of the legislative body on Thursday, urging them to prevent potential tyranny and ensuring that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the law.

Recall that President Tinubu had on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Gov Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and twenty-seven (27) members of the state assembly for an initial period of six months. He further appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as sole administrator.

The letter reads, “Open letter to the Senate President, H.E. Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass

“Your Excellencies, I am moved to come to you, the heads of our legislative branch, in this form because of the present critical situation in the country that needs your urgent and vital intervention to save our democracy.
“President Bola Tinubu’s Tuesday intervention in the ongoing Rivers State political crisis through a declaration of a state of Emergency that led to the removal of Governor Similaya Fubara .

“This is clearly an ultra vires action capable of fostering a culture of Impunity which your arm of government, the Legislature, is established to forestall.

“The legislature checks potential executive abuse of power through many means including the ability to override executive actions through vetoes.

“The legislature’s override of executive actions, such as vetoes of legislation, demonstrate its power to check possible abuse of executive’s authority.

“The separation of powers, where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches each have distinct functions and powers, is a fundamental principle of democracy designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.

“The legislature’s role in checking possible executive abuses or excesses is crucial for maintaining a balanced and accountable government, preventing potential tyranny and ensuring that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the law.

“This situation throws a huge challenge on the two of you as the heads of the legislative arm of the country.

“I urge you, therefore, to take a dispassionate look at the situation in Rivers State and ensure that you deploy your arm of government properly in the interest of the people of Rivers State and our democracy.
“Nigerians and all lovers of democracy globally are looking up to you to correct this anomaly and show that you operate within the tenets of genuine democracy.

“I pray God to direct you alright in the interest of all Nigerians and our nation.

“Accept my due regard for your high esteem.”