President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Afam Osigwe, has reiterated his call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of Rivers State Assembly.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Mr Osigwe insisted that the president’s action was unconstitutional, saying Nigeria constitution does not recognise a sole administrator.
“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him [Fubara] back to power having unconstitutionally removed him.
“And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State, having been appointed unconstitutionally.
“Even when I saw him taking oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator.”
Mr Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of a headache.
According to him, the measures being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and, above all, unconstitutional.”
He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political, and only a political solution will bring it to an end.
The NBA also dismissed claims that Mr Tinubu took advantage of constitutional gaps in arriving at the decision.
He maintained that the section 305 of the constitution is explicit and unambiguous.
“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Mr Osigwe added.
He noted that the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency rule is like placing something on nothing.
Leave a Comment