Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have launched a movement to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku confirmed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he read a statement on behalf of opposition leaders and political stakeholders. When asked whether the gathering marked the beginning of a coalition to unseat Tinubu, Atiku responded, “Yes.”
Condemnation of Emergency Rule in Rivers State
The opposition figures strongly criticised Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly for six months.
Atiku, reading from the coalition’s statement, said, “We have come together to address the dangerous and unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025—to wit, the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly.
“This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.
“We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the constitution of our country and the institutions of our democracy.”
Allegations of Constitutional Violations
Atiku accused Tinubu of violating multiple constitutional provisions, arguing that the Nigerian Constitution does not grant the president the power to remove an elected governor. He cited Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the process of impeachment through the state House of Assembly, rather than a “presidential proclamation or arbitrary pronouncement.”
He further described Tinubu’s use of Section 305—which permits a state of emergency in extreme cases—as a “misuse of constitutional authority.”
“None of these conditions exist in current circumstances in Rivers State. There is no war, no widespread violence, and no breakdown of law and order warranting emergency declaration.”
The former vice president also criticised Tinubu for ignoring constitutional procedures by failing to seek the mandatory approval of two-thirds of the National Assembly before enforcing the emergency rule.
“A Manufactured Crisis for Political Control”
Atiku alleged that Tinubu’s move was politically motivated, designed to weaken Governor Fubara and consolidate federal control over Rivers State.
“This State of Emergency declaration is not about security—it is about power grabbing and control. The disagreements within Rivers State stem from the defection of 27 Assembly members from the PDP to the APC, their loss of seats under constitutional provisions, and the subsequent political manoeuvring to undermine the Governor’s mandate.
“Rather than allowing the law to take its course, the federal government has engineered a crisis to justify this obviously premeditated and brazenly cynical unconstitutional action.”
He dismissed Tinubu’s justification that the move was necessary due to pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
“The security of national infrastructure falls squarely under the responsibilities of federal security agencies and privately contracted security firms. If this issue has to do with breach of security in whatever form, the question that should naturally be asked is: Who controls the police, the military, and the DSS? The Governor or the President?”
Demands for Immediate Reversal
The opposition leaders issued a set of demands, including:
1. Immediate Reversal: “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State.”
2. National Assembly’s Rejection: “We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval.”
3. Judicial Intervention: “We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.”
4. Public Mobilisation: “We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of democracy.”
“Nigeria Is Not a Dictatorship”
The opposition coalition reminded Nigerians that even past administrations, when declaring states of emergency in conflict-ridden areas, did not remove elected governors.
“Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an elected governor with a military administrator.”
Atiku also warned against plunging the country into unnecessary political turmoil, urging the Tinubu administration to learn from the past.
“Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.”
Notable Opposition Figures in Attendance
Other key figures at the press conference included:
– Peter Obi’s representative, Yunusa Tanko
– Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal
– Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai
– National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh
– Convenor of The Alternative, Segun Showunmi
Several prominent politicians sent apologies for their absence, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and the immediate past APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu.
