Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to democratic federalism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, El-Rufai stated that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to suspend elected officials at the state level, warning that such an action undermines the principles of democracy.
“The responsibilities of a president are extensive but constrained by the Constitution and the law. They certainly do not include the power to dismiss officials who were elected by the people,” El-Rufai said.
While acknowledging the security concerns cited by President Tinubu, the former governor argued that a state of emergency, if necessar, could have been declared to grant security agencies the extraordinary powers needed to address the crisis without dismantling democratic structures.
He cited a Supreme Court ruling in Dariye v. Attorney General of the Federation, which explicitly deemed the suspension of elected officials unlawful.
El-Rufai urged President Tinubu to reconsider his decision, adding that there is a need to uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He recalled how Tinubu, as an opposition figure, had previously criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan’s state of emergency in the Northeast, even though that decision did not extend to the removal of elected officials.
“A similar reconsideration is warranted in this case to prevent further damage to the people of Rivers State and ensure the Federal Government operates within constitutional limits,” he added.
Warning against a repeat of the 1962 Western Region crisis, El-Rufai called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to erode democratic institutions.
“I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to speak out against this gross violation of the Constitution and the rule of law,” he stated.
