The AAC condemned President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, asserting it undermines democracy and the rule of law. The party characterized the move as hypocritical and cowardly, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant against potential military-style governance. Tinubu justified the emergency due to security concerns stemming from political conflicts in the state.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has vehemently condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it an affront to democracy and a violation of constitutional governance. In a statement released on Tuesday, the party described this declaration as a “coup staged against Nigerians,” signaling an alarming trend towards authoritarianism in Nigeria.
In the statement from Femi Adeyeye, the AAC’s National Publicity Secretary, the party criticized Tinubu’s actions, asserting that they constitute a cowardly attack on the rule of law. It emphasized that this declaration is part of a grander scheme by the Tinubu administration to undermine democracy in Rivers State.
The AAC posited that Tinubu’s declaration undermines the judiciary’s authority, as previous resolutions to the Rivers State crisis had been pursued through legal channels. The party lamented that this action trivializes judicial processes and conveys a lack of faith in the courts, suggesting that Tinubu’s approach signals a descent into anarchy.
Furthermore, the AAC accused Tinubu of hypocrisy, reminding the public of his previous criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s similar actions in 2013. The party characterized Tinubu’s recent moves as backward and indicative of a cowardly leader.
The party raised alarms that Tinubu’s actions may lead regional nations, such as Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, to view Nigeria as embracing dictatorial governance. It expressed concern that such developments reflect poorly on Nigeria amidst the broader regional context of political instability.
The AAC placed blame on both Tinubu and Minister Nyesom Wike for instigating and failing to manage the ongoing crisis in Rivers State. It expressed a steadfast rejection of the emergency declaration, asserting that any governing body that fails to uphold constitutional rights lacks legitimacy.
The party urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against any imposition of military-style governance, calling for proactive resistance against the Tinubu administration’s efforts. The declaration followed Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s legislative assembly, amid claims of security failures and political upheaval.
In his address justifying the state of emergency, Tinubu cited security concerns and the vandalism of oil pipelines as primary reasons for the drastic measures taken. He placed responsibility for the unrest on Fubara, asserting that the governor had inadequately managed the political climate of Rivers State.
The ongoing power struggle in Rivers State is deeply rooted in the political dynamics between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. This schism was exacerbated when lawmakers loyal to Wike defected to the All Progressives Congress, culminating in a legal dispute regarding the members’ status and the governance of state resources.
The African Action Congress has issued a robust denunciation of President Tinubu’s state of emergency in Rivers State, criticizing it as an assault on democratic principles and judicial integrity. The party calls for vigilance among Nigerians to thwart any attempts to enforce military rule, underscoring the importance of upholding constitutional governance. Tinubu’s decision, justified by security concerns, highlights deeper political conflicts that threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
