“We refuse to be governed by fear, force, or factionalism. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its future must not be mortgaged by the ambitions of a few”.
BY OTUNBA BABATUNDE OLUSHOLA SENBANJO
It is both shocking and deeply troubling to see the recent declaration allegedly made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, regarding the reinstatement of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the State House of Assembly.
One must ask: Who gave Chief Wike the constitutional mandate to dictate governance in Rivers State? Since when did the FCT Minister become the authority to “reinstate” a democratically elected governor in a sovereign state of the federation?
This disturbing statement is not only unconstitutional, but represents a gross abuse of power and a dangerous overreach that must be condemned in the strongest terms. Nigeria operates a federal system, and each state retains autonomy within the provisions of the Constitution. The President of Nigeria, the FCT Minister, or any federal authority does not have the legal authority to suspend or reinstate a sitting governor. Such powers rest solely with the courts and, in extreme circumstances, the National Assembly through clearly defined constitutional processes.
The current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, deliberately or through negligence, allowed blatant irregularities to flourish under its watch. The Nigerian Constitution is being ridiculed in broad daylight by power-hungry politicians who believe the rule of law is an inconvenience rather than the foundation of democracy.
The people of Rivers State did not vote for a governor only to have him answer to a former one, acting from an entirely different office and jurisdiction. If Wike has unresolved political grievances or ambitions, he should pursue them within the bounds of the law not by attempting to lord over a state he no longer governs.
We cannot remain silent while the country’s democracy is eroded under a growing pattern of executive interference and political strong-arming. What we are witnessing is not just political manipulation, but a calculated attempt to dismantle the principles of separation of powers, state autonomy, and democratic governance. This cannot continue.
Enough is enough. Nigerians must rise to defend our Constitution, our democracy, and our dignity. Political positions are not instruments of personal vendetta or control; they are a call to serve the people within the confines of the law. Any attempt to undermine this should be resisted through every lawful and democratic means.
If the Tinubu administration cannot uphold the rule of law and protect the sovereignty of the federating states, it is setting a dangerous precedent for authoritarianism under the guise of democratic rule. We refuse to be governed by fear, force, or factionalism. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its future must not be mortgaged by the ambitions of a few.
Let this serve as a call to action for civil society, the judiciary, the legislature, and the international community: constitutional abuse is tyranny in slow motion. It must be called out, challenged, and defeated.
