Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has blamed the weakness of the National Assembly for enabling what he described as a constitutional breach by President Bola Tinubu.
Amaechi made the remarks on Thursday at the ninth edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation’s Annual Leadership Discourse, held in Lagos and themed “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development.”
Speaking on the recent political crisis in Rivers State, including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers, Amaechi criticized what he called unconstitutional actions backed by weak institutions.
He questioned the idea of “fearless leadership,” suggesting that in a properly functioning system, the need for such leadership wouldn’t arise.
“In a system that works, you don’t need a courageous leader. You just push the right buttons, and the system responds,” he said. “It’s when leadership fails that people start looking for heroes.”
He argued that the core of good governance lies in respect for the rule of law and the separation of powers. According to him, where these principles are ignored, governance becomes arbitrary—driven by individual will rather than legal frameworks.
He referenced the alleged declaration of an unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State, saying, “This is what happens when governance is no longer by law but by the whims of a leader, and it’s made worse by institutions like the National Assembly, which has become too weak to hold the executive accountable.”
Amaechi also warned against public apathy, noting that passive citizens allow poor governance to thrive.
“What’s most troubling is that this isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a constitutional one,” he added. “The president didn’t just break a law; he violated the Constitution, the foundation of our democracy. And yet, the country carried on as if nothing happened.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians to speak up and demand accountability, stressing that silence and docility only empower bad leadership.