Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and urging Nigerians to resist any threats to democracy.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator.

In his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance (Issue 110), published Thursday evening, Makinde called the move illegal and a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy.

“I stand today to say that the declaration of a 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 wrote.

“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity, and justice.”

Makinde commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its firm stance on the matter, revealing that the PDP Governors’ Forum held an emergency meeting on Wednesday and unanimously resolved to challenge the president’s decision in court.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we have built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” he added.