Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said the lifting of the suspension on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly is not worth celebrating.
Atiku made the statement via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, September 18, describing the initial suspension as unconstitutional and still illegal, even after being lifted.
“The suspension of Governor Simi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was enacted six months ago and remains illegal today,” Atiku wrote.
“President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and lawmakers. The Rivers saga only highlights the authoritarian tendencies of the Tinubu administration.”
The suspension was declared on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political tensions between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Following the suspension, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state, a move that triggered national debate and legal concerns about executive overreach.
In the months that followed, Fubara held closed-door meetings with Tinubu and later reconciled with Wike.
After the reconciliation, both were seen attending events together, signaling a mended relationship.
On Wednesday, September 17, Tinubu formally ended the emergency rule and directed Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the suspended lawmakers to resume official duties starting Thursday.
Despite the lifting of the suspension, Atiku insists the act remains unconstitutional, and the events in Rivers are indicative of broader governance concerns under the current administration.
