Philip Shaibu, immediate former deputy governor of Edo, says the suspension of Sim Fubara, governor of Rivers state, by President Bola Tinubu, is unlawful.
Speaking in a video that has gone viral on social media, Shaibu said the president can declare a state of emergency but cannot remove the governor.
“Removing Fubara is unlawful, sha o. You can declare state of emergency, but you can’t remove the governor,” he said.
“You can declare a state of emergency and appoint a sole administrator, but the governor still remains.
Advertisement
“That is how it works. But he will just be there ceremoniously. You can’t suspend a democratically elected governor.”
Rivers state has been at the centre of a deepening political feud between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and the current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Tinubu intervened in December 2023, brokering a peace deal between both sides.
Advertisement
However, tensions persisted, culminating in an attempt by the state assembly to impeach the governor.
On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the sole administrator.
On Thursday, the national assembly ratified the decision of the president through voice votes.
Advertisement
Add a comment
