Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has condemned the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of its executive and legislative arms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the move as “an illegality.”
Makinde made his position known in a newsletter released on Thursday night, where he stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
“The declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose,” Makinde asserted.
The governor highlighted the importance of safeguarding democratic principles, urging Nigerians to stand up for fairness, equity, and justice.
“As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation.
“We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone,” Makinde stated.
Makinde’s remarks align with the sentiments expressed by several political stakeholders, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, who have all voiced their opposition to President Tinubu’s actions.
In his newsletter, Makinde praised his party for taking a decisive stance against what he described as an undemocratic move.
“Yesterday, the PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” he said.
The Oyo State governor further reinforced the need to protect the peace and stability that have contributed to economic growth and development in different parts of the country.
He pointed to his administration’s ongoing efforts to address security challenges in Oyo State, such as combating errant herdsmen, illegal miners, and criminal elements being pushed out of the North.
“We must do whatever it takes to protect the relative peace that has helped us grow our State’s GDP by over 50% since 2019,” Makinde noted, emphasizing that Nigeria’s democratic tenets must never be compromised, regardless of personal loyalties.