The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, declared that the six-month State of Emergency earlier imposed on Rivers State, was a misstep that should never have happened.
Obo, who stated this in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, specifically noted that the development has set a dangerous precedent in the country’s democratic process, stressing that it was an unconstitutional act that undermined Nigeria’s democracy.
The former governor of Anambra’s comment followed the lifting of the State of Emergency earlier declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which he announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, and the State House of Assembly for six months effective March 18, 2025.
Obi specifically said that the measure was a grave mistake that disrupted democratic governance in the oil-rich state for six months, and emphasised that it also created needless provocation and hardship for the people of Rivers.
In the words of Obi; “The restoration of democracy in Rivers State after six months of needless disruption remains a sour side of our democracy today. It was a constitutional breach that will hurt our democracy for a long time.
“The only real mistake is the one where we end up learning nothing. True leadership requires honesty, humility, and the courage to admit and correct errors.
While commending the residents of Rivers State for their resilience during the political crisis, Obi appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, members of the State legislature, and other stakeholders to embrace peace and work together for the progress of the state.
Obi reiterated his optimism for Nigeria’s democratic future, and assured Nigerians that despite setbacks, “a new Nigeria is possible and inevitable.”
