Weak National Assembly, docile citizens emboldened Tinubu’s gross violation of constitution in Rivers – Amaechi

Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu over the controversial removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Amaechi described the move as a gross violation of Nigeria’s constitution.

Speaking at the 9th edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) Annual Leadership Discourse, themed “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” held in Lagos on Thursday, Amaechi also attacked the National Assembly, calling it a “weak institution” that enabled the president to act with impunity.

“What is even more alarming is that the breach in the situation is not even about law. The president didn’t break any law. He broke the constitution,” Amaechi declared to an attentive audience.

“The president looked at the whole Nigeria and removed an elected governor in Rivers State and appointed a military man, yet the country continued. Nothing happened.”

According to the former governor, Nigeria’s democracy is in jeopardy due to institutional weaknesses and public complacency in the face of executive overreach.

“The absence of good governance and rule of law breeds arbitrariness in governance,” he said. “This is where government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader… aided by weak institutions like the National Assembly, which is very weak.”

Amaechi argued that Nigerians have become too docile and that passive citizenship has allowed leaders to act without accountability.

“You can either have a fearless followership or a docile followership,” he said. “Does Nigeria resonate here as per the docility of followership? Yes.”

Questioning the romanticisation of “fearless leadership,” Amaechi said that in societies where governance structures function properly, there should be no need for extraordinary courage in leadership.

“Do you (Nigerians) need a courageous leader where the system works? Just push the button, everything will give you the answer. It is only when there is a failed leadership that you begin to look at who is the courageous leader,” he stated.