- Falz has condemned President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, questioning the legality of the move.
- This comes after Tinubu on Tuesday announced the state of emergency, citing political unrest in the oil-rich region. It resulted in Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly’s suspension.
- Falz claimed the governor’s suspension is not legal.
Nigerian rapper and lawyer Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has reacted to the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in light of the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Recall in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, as well as all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for six months.
Reacting in a statement shared via his X handle, Falz argued that the President does not have the legal standing to suspend the Governor.
He emphasised that the governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment.
Falz questioned if there was an actual breakdown of law and order in Rivers State that warrants the President to declare a State of Emergency. He wrote:
“Rivers State, there is ABSOLUTELY NO LAW that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A Governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment.
Is Rivers State at war? Is there an actual breakdown of public order? Is there a threat to the existence of the Federation?”
Similarly, veteran movie actress Hilda Dokubo expressed her displeasure following Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency in Rivers announcement.
The veteran actress did not mince words, while expressing how mortified she was over the declaration.
Hilda accused the President of wanting to Annex Rivers state because of one man, despite the state’s peaceful condition for past two years.
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