In a strong rebuttal to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, defended the move, accusing the former presidential candidate of misinterpreting constitutional principles.
Kwankwaso, the prominent leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, had branded the state of emergency as unconstitutional, warning it could lead to a culture of impunity. His remarks, made in a recent statement, have ignited a heated debate, with many questioning the validity of his concerns.
Ata quickly countered Kwankwaso’s claims, clarifying that the declaration was a necessary step to restore stability in the region, which has been grappling with ongoing political unrest and security challenges.
In a statement issued in Kano, the minister praised the swift and unanimous approval of the move by the National Assembly, emphasizing that such measures are vital for the maintenance of law and order in Rivers State.
Refuting Kwankwaso’s assertions, Ata accused the NNPP leader of lacking a fundamental understanding of governance and legal processes. He pointed to Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor of Kano State, where, according to Ata, political intimidation and the erosion of legislative independence were commonplace.
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The minister charged that during his time in office, Kwankwaso had consistently undermined the rule of law and disregarded the independence of the legislature.
Ata also criticized Kwankwaso’s involvement in the emirship crisis in Kano, noting that the former governor had repeatedly ignored court orders and disregarded judicial processes, further stoking political instability. The minister warned that such actions had only exacerbated tensions and bred public dissatisfaction in the state.
In a final rebuke, Ata urged Kwankwaso to refrain from making baseless statements about national matters, particularly regarding President Tinubu’s constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency when necessary for the preservation of national peace and security.
