Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He also stated that governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will challenge the declaration in court.
According to Makinde, the decision to seek legal redress was taken at an emergency meeting of the PDP Governors on Wednesday.
He commended the PDP for demonstrating what he called “the needed strength and leadership”.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Similayi Fubara; his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, as well as the House of Assembly for six months.
The president appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd.) as Sole Administrator for the state.
Governor Makinde, in his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance Issue 110, noted that the suspension of democracy in Rivers State, through the declaration of a state of emergency, is an illegal act which must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.
According to him, “I stand today to say that the declaration of a 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 the 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.
“As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.”
He added: “I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), 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.”
