Rivers: Resist brazen assault on our constitution – Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai to Nigerians

A group of opposition leaders has advised Nigerians to resist a brazen assault on the nation’s constitution following President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, converged on Thursday in Abuja.

Tinubu’s declaration of emergency in Rivers and Fubara’s suspension is a trending topic that has divided Nigerians, with the opposition leaders urging the National Assembly to reject it.

Addressing members of the press on behalf of the group, Atiku said, “This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.

“We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the constitution of our country and the institutions of our democracy.

“Mr President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court.

“Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land.

“We note that despite provocative statements and belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to the implementation of the ruling of the Supreme Court.”