According to report, former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for suspending Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly.
In a viral video which surfaced on Thursday, Shaibu, seated beside an unidentified man in white, expressed disapproval of the federal government's approach to the political crisis in Rivers State.
He argued that the removal of Fubara was unconstitutional.
Shaibu stated that while a state of emergency can be declared and a sole administrator appointed, the removal of an elected governor is not permitted.
He maintained that Fubara should remain in office, even if symbolically, as dictated by constitutional provisions.
"You can declare a state of emergency, you can even impose a sole administrator, but you cannot remove an elected governor. Fubara remains in office, even if just ceremonially. That is how it works," Shaibu said in the video.
The federal government, however, has defended the president's actions, asserting that the state of emergency in Rivers was necessary to avert a political collapse.
Speaking to journalists at the Aso Rock Villa, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), supported the president's decision, questioning when else such intervention could have been appropriate.
He suggested that waiting until the situation fully deteriorated would have been irresponsible.
In a national address, President Tinubu explained that the declaration of a state of emergency was prompted by extended political instability, breaches of constitutional order, and security challenges in Rivers State.
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