Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of breaching the Nigerian Constitution in his handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, claiming that the National Assembly's weakness made it possible.
Amaechi made the statement during a press conference in Port Harcourt, where he addressed the ongoing tensions within the state’s political structure following the fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Amaechi, the federal government's involvement in what he described as “an illegal intervention” in Rivers State politics, including the attempt to recognize parallel structures of power and influence within the state government, violates constitutional principles. He criticized President Tinubu for turning a blind eye to the rule of law and for allegedly siding with certain political factions to serve his own interests.
“The President could not have acted in breach of the Constitution if the National Assembly had stood its ground,” Amaechi said. “A proactive and independent legislature would have checked this interference and defended the principles of federalism and separation of powers.”
Amaechi’s comments come amid heightened tensions in Rivers State, where the political feud has led to protests, threats of impeachment, and a deepening rift within the state's ruling party. Analysts believe the crisis could undermine governance and development in the oil-rich state if not resolved quickly.
He also warned that the National Assembly’s failure to uphold its constitutional role sets a dangerous precedent, where executive overreach may become the norm. “What we are seeing is the erosion of democratic institutions and the strengthening of executive dominance, and it is the people who will suffer the consequences,” he stated.
The former governor, who has long been a political rival to Wike, urged lawmakers to remember their oath to the Constitution and act as an effective check on executive actions, not as extensions of the presidency.
As Rivers State continues to grapple with its political crisis, Amaechi's remarks have stirred both support and criticism, reigniting debates about constitutional fidelity, federalism, and the role of the National Assembly in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
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