Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has made serious allegations against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of using the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as a political strategy to intimidate potential rivals ahead of the 2027 elections.
In an exclusive interview with an international news outlet, Amaechi argued that the ongoing crisis in Rivers is not about security, as claimed by the government, but stems from a financial dispute between key political figures in the state.
He pointed to a rivalry between former Governor Nyesom Wike and the current Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the control and allocation of state funds as the true cause of the conflict.
Amaechi raised concerns over the legality of the state of emergency, questioning its constitutionality and accusing President Tinubu of overstepping legal boundaries.
He suggested that the move was part of a larger strategy to suppress political opposition as the 2027 general elections draw near.
To counteract the suspension of Governor Fubara, Amaechi proposed that opposition governors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) take legal action to challenge the decision in court, calling it an abuse of power.
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Second, he urged Nigerians to unite in a national protest to demand an end to what he called an “illegal suspension.”
The fight between the former governor (Wike) and the current governor (Fubara) is about sharing money. The President (Tinubu) acted outside of the constitution,” Amaechi remarked, emphasising that the president’s actions were unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Moreover, Amaechi pointed fingers at both President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the masterminds behind the ongoing political crisis in the state, asserting that their involvement has exacerbated the situation.
Amaechi reminded the public that, as the nation’s constitutional head of security, President Tinubu should not be shifting the blame for the political unrest onto the suspended Governor Fubara.