Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, has accused President Bola Tinubu of committing an impeachable offense by unilaterally removing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara through a state of emergency declaration. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, March 19, Abati argued that the president lacks the constitutional authority to remove a governor by proclamation.
Abati criticized Tinubu’s actions, stating that even under Section 305 of the Constitution—which outlines the conditions for declaring a state of emergency—the president overstepped his powers. He further noted that Tinubu violated constitutional provisions by granting the Federal Executive Council authority to make regulations for the Rivers State House of Assembly, a power that, under Section 11, belongs solely to the National Assembly.
“The president has violated the Constitution and acted as a dictator,” Abati asserted. He emphasized that Section 188 provides the legal process for removing a governor, which must be initiated by the state legislature, not the presidency.
Abati concluded that Tinubu’s move contradicts Section 1(2) of the Constitution, which mandates governance strictly within constitutional provisions. He called for those who advised the president on the matter to be held accountable for what he described as a dangerous precedent.