CNPP condemns the suspension of Rivers Gov, questions the reasons for President Tinubu

The Conference of Political Parties of Nigeria, CNPP, criticized President Bola Tinubu for the controversial suspension of the Governor of the State of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the Chamber of the State Assembly, calling the unconstitutional movement and a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Advertising Secretary, James Ezema, in the early hours of Wednesday, the CNPP denounced the suspension as a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The group warned that such an overreach executive undermined democratic governance and establishes a worrying precedent.

“The Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President the authority to suspend a governor elected or his deputy. Section 188 explicitly describes the accusation for the State Assembly Chamber as the only legal process to eliminate a governor in the position.

Citing section 1 (2) of the Constitution, which prohibits any individual or group from taking advantage of any part of the Nigerian government outside the constitutional provisions, the CNPP argued that the president’s directive is not valid.

The group also referred to section 11 (4) and (5), which allows the National Assembly to intervene in state legislative matters only in extreme circumstances not to suspend the governors.

Section 308, according to the organization, gives the governors and their deputies immunity of legal procedures while in office, which further complicates the legality of Tinubu’s decision.

“Would President Tinubu have made this decision if the state of Rivers were controlled by the Congress of all progressives? Is this an APC attempt to take advantage of the political control of the state of Rivers? And why the president has not shown the same urgency in addressing the states that fight against the insurgency and security crises?” The group asked.

The political coalition asked President Tinubu to revert the suspension immediately and restore duly elected leaders of the state of Rivers.

“A true Democrat must respect due process and constitutional principles,” insisted the CNPP, adding that “the acts of executive dictatorship weaken democracy and make the elections make no sense.”
“This is a attention call so that all Nigerians defend our democracy. We must not allow unconstitutional actions to establish dangerous precedents,” the statement added.