The former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed his sorrow yesterday regarding the removal of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor, stating that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency was unconstitutional. Amaechi, who previously served as the minister of transportation, voiced his disappointment over the National Assembly’s lack of effectiveness in this situation, labeling the Senate as a weakened body that supported the president in establishing an unlawful government.
He made these comments at the 9th Edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation Annual Leadership Discourse, titled “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” which was held by AAF in Lagos. The ex-governor also called on Nigerians to take a proactive stance against poor governance, asserting that complacency allows bad leadership to thrive.
He stated, “Do you agree that the concept of a fearless leader doesn’t exist and that courageous leadership is a myth? Do you (Nigerians) truly require a brave leader where the system functions properly? Just press the button; everything will respond accordingly. It is only in instances of failed leadership that people begin to seek out a courageous leader.
“There are various types of leadership styles, and fearless leadership is not among them. There exists the authoritarian leadership trait, characterized by individuals who believe they possess all the answers. Such leaders dictate actions without seeking others’ input and expect compliance.
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“One can either find fearless followers or passive followers. Does Nigeria reflect this notion regarding the passivity of its followers? Does it resonate here? Yes. Good governance hinges on constitutionality and the rule of law. It is also about adhering to the principle of separation of powers.
The lack of good governance and the rule of law fosters arbitrary governance. Arbitrariness, in this context, pertains to the disregard for fundamental legal principles.
“For a governor or president who subscribes to such a mindset, their actions become the law. It is not the contents of legal texts that define law.
This also involves neglecting fundamental legal standards, whereby governance occurs not according to law but rather at the discretion and whims of a singular leader.
Such is the case with the current declaration of an unlawful and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State, facilitated by feeble institutions like the National Assembly, which proves to be considerably weak.
“What is even more concerning is that the issue at hand is not simply legal in nature. The president did not violate any law. He violated the constitution.
This constitutional breach is a violation of the integrity and sanctity of the constitution. A country’s constitution is its guiding scripture, and its sanctity must be upheld.
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Can we assert the same for Nigeria? Clearly, the answer would be a firm no. The president surveyed Nigeria as a whole and removed an elected governor in Rivers State, appointing a military officer instead, yet the nation continued without incident.
