Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has condemned the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. He called the decision unconstitutional and urged Nigerians to stand against any threat to democracy.

Makinde shared his views in his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance (Issue 110), published on Thursday, March 20.

On Tuesday, March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. As part of this, he suspended Governor Similayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for six months. He then appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state.

Governor Makinde firmly opposed the move, describing it as illegal. He emphasized that democracy must be protected at all costs, regardless of personal or political interests.

“I stand today to say that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose,” he said.

Makinde stressed the importance of fairness, equity, and justice. He called on Nigerians to reject any action that could weaken the country’s democratic system.

The governor praised his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for standing against the decision. He revealed that the PDP Governors’ Forum held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, where they all agreed to challenge the president’s action in court.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we have built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” Makinde stated.

Makinde’s strong stance highlights the ongoing debate about democracy and governance in Nigeria. As the PDP prepares to take legal steps, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.