disguising political brinkmanship as statesmanship in Rivers – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the party accused the President of disguising “political brinkmanship as statesmanship” and warned that the Rivers episode would define his political legacy.

The ADC faulted Tinubu’s decision to suspend Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State Assembly for six months, before later directing them to resume duties, likening the act to treating elected officials as political appointees.

“The President’s decision to arrogate himself the power to suspend and recall elected officials in Rivers State is whimsically autocratic and should be recognised and condemned as a threat to our democracy,” the statement read.

The party argued that only a competent court of law has the power to remove or restrain elected officials, not a presidential proclamation.

“The President is not a Headmaster, and Governors are not his pupils to be sent home and recalled at his discretion,” Abdullahi said, recalling that Tinubu once styled himself as a federalist who defended state autonomy when he was governor of Lagos State.

The ADC further alleged that the suspension served political interests in Abuja rather than the people of Rivers State. It said the President’s intervention had left the state with a “pacified government” whose loyalty now lies with the presidency rather than its citizens.

According to the statement, Tinubu’s return from vacation was not to address worsening insecurity but to “personally oversee” Fubara’s reinstatement, projecting himself as the sole authority with the power to remove or restore governors.

“For avoidance of doubt, Section 305 of our Constitution — which provides for emergency powers — was never intended to be used as a tool for settling political scores,” the party added, stressing that the provision exists only for genuine emergencies such as natural disasters or insurrections.

The ADC called on the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, to intervene and clarify the constitutional limits of emergency powers to prevent further abuse.

“In moments like this, the judiciary cannot maintain silent indifference, or history will record them as collaborators in the subversion of our democracy,” the party warned.

disguising political brinkmanship as statesmanship in Rivers – ADC