The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has declared that it would seek legal action against the President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State revealed this in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
The PDP governors described the Tinubu’s actions as unconstitutional and threatened Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Makinde criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, saying he and his colleagues would challenge the matter in court.
“I am glad that our great party, the PDP, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”
Makinde called upon Nigerians to speak out whenever anything threatened the nation’s progress.
Similarly, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, said the state of emergency would be challenged in court.
Osadolor said Tinubu cared less of the implications of his pronouncement, adding that the court remained the last hope of the common man.
Osadolor said, “The President lacks the locus to suspend two elected arms of government; the legislature and executive in the state. There is no place in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that gives such powers.
“Has the President forgotten that the office is guided by law? Although he has the right to declare a state of emergency, there is nowhere it is stated that he can suspend officials. President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the past, and the governors still held the forte in their states.”
