Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has raised alarm over what he described as a blatant constitutional breach by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. Speaking during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Amaechi blamed the President's actions and inactions for exacerbating the conflict while accusing the National Assembly of failing in its oversight responsibilities.
Amaechi expressed deep concern over what he called “executive overreach” in the handling of the crisis in Rivers State, where political tensions between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have destabilized governance and public confidence.
"President Tinubu has acted outside the constitutional framework in intervening in Rivers politics," Amaechi stated. "This breach was possible because the National Assembly, which should serve as a check on executive power, has remained silent. Worse still, citizens have grown increasingly passive, allowing constitutional violations to go unchallenged."
Amaechi, a two-term governor and influential figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized what he described as “political interference disguised as conflict resolution,” saying it undermines democracy and the rule of law. He called for urgent legislative scrutiny and mass civic awakening to hold political leaders accountable.
He urged civil society, the judiciary, and the media to rise to the occasion and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic values.
This latest statement adds to mounting concerns over federal involvement in state affairs and the weakening of institutional independence. As Rivers State remains a critical economic hub for the nation, stakeholders warn that prolonged political instability could have far-reaching consequences.