BREAKING: Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over Rivers Crisis, Says Fubara’s Suspension Was ‘Unconstitutional, Illegal’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, has taken a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the political turmoil in Rivers State, declaring that the lifting of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension is “nothing to cheer about.”

Atiku, in a strongly-worded statement via his official X handle on Thursday, argued that the suspension of Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly six months ago was unconstitutional, and its reversal does not erase the illegality.

“The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State Assembly was unconstitutional when it was carried out six months ago, and it remains illegal today. President Tinubu had no powers under the Nigerian Constitution to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President warned that the Rivers saga was a disturbing reflection of how the current administration is undermining democratic norms.

“What we are witnessing in Rivers is not democracy but a dangerous signpost of dictatorship. These political shenanigans are a grave threat to the rule of law and to Nigeria’s fragile democracy,” he added.

Atiku’s intervention comes at a time when Rivers lawmakers have resumed political hostilities with Governor Fubara, rekindling a crisis that has left the oil-rich state in turmoil and heightened tensions between the executive and the legislature.

Political analysts say the former Vice President’s comments may further deepen the national debate on federal overreach, constitutionalism, and the direction of the Tinubu administration.