"president Tinubu Lacks Constitutional Power To Suspend Or Sack An Elected Governor"– Lawyer Stan Alieke Reacts To Fubara's Suspension

Prominent Nigerian lawyer Stan Alieke has reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to him, President Tinubu is bending the constitution. He noted that, under the constitution, the president does not possess any sort of power to suspend or sack an elected governor.

Furthermore, he explained that a sitting governor can lose his seat either by impeachment by the state assembly, death, or if he is faced with mental issues or becomes medically incapacitated.

Clarifying further, Stan Alieke emphasized that there's no law enshrined in the constitution that confers the president with the power to suspend or sack an elected governor on any grounds.

Stan Alieke wrote on his Instagram story:
"President Tinubu is bending the constitution. The president doesn't have any power to suspend or sack an elected governor. A governor can only lose his seat either by impeachment by the state assembly, by death or if he becomes mentally or medically incapacitated & there's nowhere it is provided in the constitution that the president has the power to suspend or sack an elected governor on any ground. The president's legal advisers should properly advise the presidency."

The Nigerian Voice recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, officially declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Deputy Governor for six months.

Similarly, members of the state house of assembly were also suspended for the same duration.

President Tinubu cited the lingering crisis in the state for the action.

He subsequently nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state with immediate effect.