Bode George, a prominent former deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of exploiting the National Assembly to “legitimize illegality” in Rivers State.
George’s sharp criticism, delivered Late Monday, positions him at the forefront of a growing backlash against Tinubu’s handling of the state’s political crisis, which he warns threatens Nigeria’s democratic foundation. “Illegality cannot overcome legality,” George declared, invoking Fela Kuti’s Roforofo Fight to highlight the chaos. “Governance belongs to the people, not the president.”
George’s ire centres on Tinubu’s recent push for National Assembly approval of key appointments in Rivers State, including the chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and positions in state healthcare and civil service boards. He argues that these moves, made under the guise of a state of emergency declared on March 18, 2025, are unconstitutional and erode democratic norms.
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It bears mentioning that the emergency suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months, with Tinubu appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator. The decision followed a bitter feud between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, now the Federal Capital Territory minister, compounded by militant attacks on oil infrastructure. The National Assembly endorsed the emergency in March, and Tinubu’s administration claims it consulted lawmakers beforehand, asserting constitutional compliance.
The Former Deputy Chairman’s stance gains traction as the Senate reviews the situation through an ad-hoc committee, with a report expected soon. Critics like Senator Seriake Dickson have echoed his concerns, labelling the emergency a “military-style suppression of democracy.” Legal experts question the legitimacy of appointments during emergency rule, bolstering George’s charge of overreach.
Unsurprisingly, the Tinubu-led Government defends the measures as essential for stability. George’s warning of democratic erosion resonates amid rising unrest in Rivers State, including Ijaw demands for self-determination. The Senate’s findings could shape the crisis’s trajectory, but for now, George’s bold condemnation remains the loudest voice, demanding accountability and a return to democratic principles.
