El-Rufai Slams Tinubu’s Govt Over Suspension of Elected Officials in Rivers State
By Usman A Harande
In a scathing statement, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the Tinubu-led Federal Government’s decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State, calling it a “gross violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law”.
El-Rufai, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007, argued that the Constitution does not support the president’s actions, emphasizing that it is “dangerous to our system of democratic federalism” for an elected president to assume powers to suspend elected officials at the state level.
El-Rufai urged President Tinubu to review the decision, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation case, which declared the suspension of elected officials unlawful. He also drew parallels with Senator Bola Tinubu’s opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in the North-East, highlighting the need for consistency in upholding democratic principles.
El-Rufai cautioned against the erosion of democratic norms, warning that the suspension of elected officials could set a dangerous precedent, reminiscent of the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962. He appealed to “all patriots and voices of reason” to join him in calling for an end to this violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law.
As the debate over the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State continues, El-Rufai’s statement adds to the growing chorus of criticism against the Tinubu-led Federal Government’s actions.
About The Author
