PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
In a statement, Wabara denounced the suspension of elected officials, arguing that it violates the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the people’s right to choose their leaders.
He likened the move to military dictatorship and accused Tinubu of hypocrisy, recalling how the President once criticized a similar action by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.
Hear him, “In my capacity as the Chairman of BoT of our great party, the PDP; and a former Senate President, I, Senator Adolphus Wabara, call for the reversal of this assault on our democracy.
“It’s sad and disheartening that Mr President ignored my earlier advice to ignore those calling for emergency rule in Rivers State.
“I had also advised him not to lean towards those attempting to hijack power through the back door in Rivers State. I had then sought his intervention as the father of the nation because the political crisis in Rivers State if mismanaged, is capable of plunging the entire country into a needless political turmoil,” he added.
Wabara also slammed the National Assembly for approving the emergency rule through a voice vote rather than the required two-thirds majority, calling the process a “travesty of justice” and an attack on democratic principles.
Accusing Tinubu of using the emergency rule to advance his 2027 presidential ambitions, Wabara warned that the move could destabilize the nation.
“This is nothing short of hypocrisy and a well-orchestrated plan to highjack power from Rivers State Governor in the accomplishment of his 2027 presidential ambition. This is a veiled plot for APC to take over Rivers State.”
He reaffirmed the PDP BoT’s support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State, vowing to stand in solidarity with them against what he sees as an abuse of power.
