Kenneth Okonkwo, a former Labor Party member, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose an emergency rule in Rivers State, suspending elected officials in the process.
Okonkwo deemed Tinubu’s actions as treasonable and criminal, questioning the constitutionality of the declaration. He expressed concerns over the implications of this move, highlighting the potential undermining of democratic institutions.
Speaking to Journalist on Monday Okonkwo had this to say: “The President simply suspended the provisions of the constitution, including section one. You cannot govern Nigeria or any part of it by any set of people except in accordance with the Constitution.
So, the appointment of a sole administrator is alien to our Constitution and is not contemplated.
“So what the President did was a martial law. It’s unconstitutional. It is illegal and it is criminal, because that is the real treason we are talking about. Usurping the power of the National Assembly to make law for Rivers State is another reasonable offence.”
Okonkwo explained that the constitution is very clear on how a governor and elected representatives should be removed, stressing that the president’s action constitutes a coup on the people of Rivers State.
“He did not declare state of emergency in rivers. He declared martial law. What he did was a coup against the rivers people. The constitution is very clear on how you elect the governor, section 179 section 180, and how governor is removed, section 188 section 189 and the law is very clear. How you elect the House of Representative members, which is there and how you remove section 117 and section 110 clear and simple,” the lawyer stated.
The post Tinubu’s Emergency Rule In Rivers Is A Treasonable Offence – Kenneth Okonkwo appeared first on Information Nigeria.
