POLITICS
Weakness of NASS enabled Tinubu’s constitutional breach, Says Amaechi

Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, expressed sadness over the removal of Siminalayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State, saying the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu was in breach of the constitution.
The former minister of transportation, who expressed dismay over the ineffectiveness of the National Assembly in the matter, described the Red Chamber as a weak institution that aided the president in instituting an illegal government.
Amaechi spoke at the 9th Edition of Akinjide Adeosun Foundation, AAF, Annual Leadership Discourse themed: “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” organised by AAF in Lagos.
The former governor also urged Nigerians to be proactive in reacting to poor governance, saying docility was an enabler of bad leadership.
His words: “Do you agree that there is nothing like a fearless leader and there is nothing like courageous 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.
“There are different types of leadership traits, and fearless leadership is not one of them. There is the authoritarian leadership trait, which is one who knows it all. Such leaders tell you what to do without consulting and expect you to obey.
“You can either have a fearless followership or a docile followership. Does Nigeria resonate here as par the docility of followership? Does it resonate here? Yes. Good governance is about constitutionality and the rule of law. It is also about the concept of separation of power. The absence of good governance and rule of law breeds arbitrariness in governance. Arbitrariness here has to do with non-observance of the basic principles of law.
“For a governor or a president, who subscribes to such a concept, it is what he or she does that is law. It is not what is in the book that is law. There is also the non-observance of the basic principles of law. This is where government is not by law, but by the whims and caprices of an individual leader. Like the current pronouncement of an illegal and unconstitutional state of emergency in Rivers State aided by weak institutions like the National Assembly, which is very weak.
“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. Now, this breach of the constitution is the breach of the sacredness and sanctity of the constitution. The constitution of a country is the Bible of that country. And its sanctity must be protected. Can we say the same in Nigeria? Obviously, the response would be a resounding no. 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.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the 2015 governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jimi Agbaje, however, said only an enabling environment would help in bringing about fearless leaders in Nigeria.
PUNCH
Discover more from Naijanewstoday
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
NEWS7 days ago
FG Cuts Dialysis Cost In Federal Hospitals From ₦50,000 To ₦12,000
-
NEWS5 days ago
Ebonyi Man Plans Lagos-Abakaliki Trek to Honour Gov. Nwifuru’s Peace Efforts
-
NEWS3 days ago
Ebonyi Man Begins Lagos–Abakaliki Trek in Support of Gov Nwifuru’s Peace Efforts in Effium Crisis
-
NEWS7 days ago
Ebonyi Coordinator Distributes Motorcycles, Lauds Governor’s Grassroots Development Agenda
-
NEWS7 days ago
FCT Minister Denies Awarding N5 Billion Contract to Local Contractors
-
ENTERTAINMENT6 days ago
VeryDarkMan Leads Protest In Auchi, Blocks Dangote Trucks Over Victims’ Compensation
-
NEWS6 days ago
Wike Says Amaechi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition Is Dead on Arrival
-
OPPORTUNITIES5 days ago
AE-FUNAI Wins 3 Medals At National Debate Invitational Hosted By Crawford University, Ogun State
-
NEWS6 days ago
Ooni of Ife Dismisses Alaafin of Oyo’s Ultimatum Over Chieftaincy Title
-
EDITORIAL4 days ago
Garri Supplier Takes Full Responsibility, Refunds Money After Failed Delivery
-
POLITICS5 days ago
Bright Ngene Wins Enugu South Rerun As INEC Declares Result Despite Prison Term
-
ENTERTAINMENT5 days ago
Lil Kesh Stabbed In Lagos, Jewelry Stolen As Fans Express Shock