Former national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has warned that Nigeria is sliding dangerously into full-blown dictatorship following the emergency rule in Rivers State.

Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, George condemned Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials in Rivers, describing the action as an assault on democracy.

He said the state of emergency was declared without any major incident of violence in the state, stressing that the President’s real motive was to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC) take control of the state through the back door.

President Tinubu, last week, sought the National Assembly’s approval of some appointments in Rivers State, including chairman and six members for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The nominees were proposed by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

Reacting, George described the appointments as problematic since they were made by an administrator, who according to him is in office illegally. He also said the implication is that an unconstitutionally appointed individual would be empowered to conduct local government elections in the state.

“The President’s insistence on these appointments reveals a troubling disregard for democratic principles. This move raises serious concerns about the concentration of power and undermines the very fabric of our democratic institutions, suggesting a calculated effort to bypass accountability and manipulate state functions at a time when the people’s voice should be paramount,” he said.

He challenged President Tinubu’s authority to suspend elected officials, recalling past criticism by Tinubu himself against former President Goodluck Jonathan. “In 2013, when Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states without removing their governors, Tinubu who was then in opposition had accused him of setting in motion a chain of events the end of which nobody can predict.

“President Tinubu, if, in 2013, you accused Jonathan, somebody who did not remove Shettima and others from office, of setting in motion a chain of events the end of which nobody can predict, what do you want Nigerians to say about you with your suspension of democratically-elected governor, his deputy and lawmakers?”

He said there is nowhere in the Nigerian constitution where it is stated that democratically-elected officials could be removed by an emergency declaration. He also condemned the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency rule by voice vote, noting that the constitution mandates a two-thirds approval from both chambers.

He then urged President Tinubu to reconsider his actions, reminding him that power is transient and not absolute. “Nigerians are suffering but these operators don’t care about the people. If they don’t apply the brake now, the wrong direction they are heading may lead to political collapse,” he said. (Daily Sun)