‘Dead on arrival’ — lawyer rejects call for emergency rule in Osun

Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based lawyer, has condemned calls for President Bola Tinubu to impose emergency rule in Osun state.

Ajibola Basiru, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had urged the president to extend emergency rule to Osun, citing Ademola Adeleke, the governor’s refusal to reinstate APC-backed council chairpersons despite a court order.

Basiru also praised Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers state, calling for similar action in Osun.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Olajengbesi rejected the request as a “blatant abuse of power and an attempt to undermine democracy”.

He said the APC’s push for emergency rule in Osun was “dead on arrival” and should be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

Olajengbesi said section 305 of the 1999 Constitution did not empower the president to suspend a sitting governor and other elected officials.

“The government of Osun state is properly constituted. The state assembly is working in a harmonious relationship with the governor for the development of the state,” he said. 

“Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture. Men of ill-agenda now manipulate the system to get their despotic desires done. But men of character must equally reject the reign of horror and terror. Autocratic tendencies have no room in our nascent democracy. 

“The calls for emergency rule in Osun state by Ajibola Bashiru and the APC is condemnable, unconstitutional and tyrannical. 

“No situation in Osun state warrants such a devilish call. Osun state is peaceful. Section 305 of the 1999 constitution is clear on situations that warrant a state of emergency and this does not preclude the suspension of elected officials. 

“The plot by the APC government to surreptitiously eject governors in opposition parties through the imposition of emergency rule stands condemned. The plot is dead on arrival.”