The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara decried the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and State House of Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator, describing the move as a “gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and an assault on democracy and the rule of law.”

“This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic.

“It deserves the strongest condemnation and corrective action by all well-meaning Nigerians, the judiciary, civil society, and the international community,” Wabara stated.

Expressing disappointment, the former Senate President revealed that he had earlier advised Tinubu against imposing emergency rule in Rivers State, a warning that was ignored.

“I unequivocally denounce the President’s action, which disregards the rule of law and undermines the sovereignty of the people of Rivers State.

“This undemocratic move violates our constitution, which the President swore to uphold, and threatens the very foundation of democracy in Nigeria,” Wabara asserted.

Drawing parallels to Nigeria’s past under military rule, Wabara warned that Tinubu’s action mirrors an era the country has tried to move beyond.

He emphasized that the people of Rivers State exercised their democratic rights in electing their leaders, and those officials were not appointed by the President but chosen by the electorate to serve their mandate.

“The constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove or replace elected officials.

“Such actions amount to an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s federal structure.

“The President’s decision to impose an unelected sole administrator is nothing short of a democratic travesty,” he stressed.

Wabara also called on the National Assembly to step up in defence of democracy, urging lawmakers not to serve as a rubber stamp for executive excesses.

“They must engage Mr. President and find a way to adopt a Doctrine of Necessity to salvage the situation. They must defend our democracy and protect the rule of law,” he stated

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Unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly killed six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, CPG, popularly known as Askarawa and four local vigilantes in an ambush in Anka Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives were reportedly returning from a successful joint operation led by the Nigerian Army, which resulted in the killing of several bandits.

However, as they made their way back, they were ambushed by some recalcitrant bandits, leading to the tragic loss of ten lives.

The State Governor, Dauda Lawal, confirmed the killing of security operatives in the ambush.

In a statement on his verified Facebook page, the governor disclosed that the victims were part of a team that had conducted an operation alongside military personnel in Anka before they were attacked around Bagega axis.

Lawal further disclosed that six members of the Community Protection Guards, CPGs, and four local vigilantes also known as “Yan Sakai” lost their lives in the ambush.

The governor added that three persons are still missing, including two members of the community Protection Guards and one local vigilante.

“I got information that gunmen ambushed some Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, CPG, in Anka Local Government. The incident occurred yesterday when security forces and the State Community Protection Guards, CPG, led by the Nigerian Army attacked the hideouts of the bandits and successful neutralized several bandits and recovered their weapons.

“The information made available to me that on their way back that when the bandits ambushed them at Bagega and open fire on them killing six Zamfara Community Protection Guards, CPG, and four Yansakai which their burial was conducted Sunday’s morning,” he said.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has condemned the declaration of state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.

Soyinka, who stated this during an interview on Channels Television, described the situation as excessive.

It could be recalled that Tinubu declared emergency rule in the oil-rich state on Tuesday night over the political crisis and instability in the state.

The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

In the governor’s stead, Tinubu immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.