The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in the state.
In a statement released on Friday, the ADC described the suspension as an “unconstitutional overreach” and accused the Tinubu administration of undermining Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
The party’s response came after Vice President Kashim Shettima referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan’s respect for constitutional order during a similar political crisis in Borno State.
The ADC emphasized that an elected governor cannot be removed by presidential directive, citing the precedent set when Jonathan resisted pressures to remove then-Governor Shettima despite the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency.
“What was unconstitutional under President Jonathan remains unconstitutional under President Tinubu,” the ADC stated. “The only difference is this administration’s apparent readiness to manipulate the law for political convenience.”
The party commended former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and then-Attorney General Mohammed Bello Adoke for upholding the constitution during the Jonathan era. It contrasted their actions with the Tinubu government’s approach, labeling the suspension of Fubara as a “blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a monarchy,” the statement continued. “Presidential power is not absolute—it is limited by the constitution and must be exercised with accountability.”
Rejecting the presidency’s claim of law and order breakdown in Rivers, the ADC argued that the current situation pales in comparison to the Boko Haram crisis during Jonathan’s tenure. Despite declaring a state of emergency in Borno and Yobe, Jonathan did not suspend any elected governor, the party noted.
“President Tinubu’s actions in Rivers are not just unconstitutional—they are authoritarian,” the statement asserted.
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The ADC issued the following three key demands to the presidency; Immediate reinstatement of democratic structures in Rivers State; An end to all unconstitutional interference in the state’s governance; and a formal apology to Nigerians for the abuse of executive power.
“The ADC stands firmly with the Nigerian people in defending democracy, justice, and the constitution,” the party declared.
