By Emmanuel Egbujuo
Following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a political affairs analyst has said President Bola Tinubu erred in his decision to remove the Governor, Deputy, and members of the state Assembly describing the action as an attack on democracy.
Speaking on Radio Nigeria, Treasure FM political programme, Democratic platform, Mr. Jackson Lekan-Ojo noted that an elected governor and his deputy can only leave office by impeachment, death, or resignation.
He enumerated the conditions for declaring a state of emergency in a state to include in time of external and internal aggression, war or breakdown of order.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the National Assembly endorsed the state of emergency,y which was by voice vote, describing it as an aberration. Mr Lekan Ojo called on the president to have a rethink to save democracy in the nation.
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“When you erred particularly in law, there is an opportunity to reverse your decision. Even the Nigeria Bar Association, former presidents, Civil Societies and others have been condemning it. I think I have to urge Mr President instead of the matter going to the Supreme Court for it to revise the decision, it would be better for him to review and revise this decision himself which I believe would be better”, he stated.
Mr Lekan Ojo urged the people of Rivers State to cooperate with the sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ettte Ibas, to forestall breakdown of law and order in the state. “This is a country most times adnormalities become norms. During this period, everybody has to work together with him not to make money, not to do contract but to make sure he succeeded to prevent war in the state because if violence is allowed the period of six months of emergency rule could be extended “, he stressed.
Mr Lekan-Ojo advised the newly appointed sole administrator to shun politics and focus on maintaining peace for socio-economic development of Rivers State. “He is not here to sign contracts or make appointments but to ensure peace and order”, he noted.
Callers on the programme condemned the president’s action, attributing it to political interest.
In Port Harcourt.
