Supreme Court Drama: Why Kenneth Okonkwo Thinks Tinubu’s Move On Rivers State Is A Power Play

Okonkwo Blasts Tinubu Over Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Let’s talk about something that’s got the whole country buzzing. Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has come out swinging against President Bola Tinubu's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move, which involves suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu for six months, has sparked a heated debate across Nigeria. Okonkwo didn’t mince words when he labeled the declaration as both illegal and unconstitutional. And trust me, this is a story worth diving into.

Tinubu's Broadcast Sparks Controversy

According to Naija News, it all started with a nationwide broadcast from President Tinubu on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. In this address, Tinubu not only declared a state of emergency in Rivers State but also suspended the governor and deputy governor. Now, here’s the kicker: Okonkwo, who shared his thoughts on his 𝕏 account, reminded everyone that former President Goodluck Jonathan once declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa to combat Boko Haram. But—and this is a big but—Jonathan didn’t remove the governors or other officials from office. So, why is Tinubu doing it now?

A Misplaced Blame Game?

Okonkwo didn’t stop there. He argued that blaming Governor Fubara for the federal government’s security failures is just plain wrong. Let’s break it down. The security of Nigeria is the federal government’s responsibility. Governors don’t have their own police forces to command. So, holding Fubara accountable for issues beyond his control doesn’t make much sense. Okonkwo even went further, pointing out that if Tinubu wanted to punish everyone involved in the crisis, he should have also disciplined members of his own cabinet who might have played a role.

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Is This a Power Grab?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Okonkwo believes that Tinubu’s move is more than just a reaction to security issues. He sees it as a power grab—an attempt to wrest control of Rivers State from the opposition party and hand it over to allies within his own administration. Think about it: suspending elected officials for six months effectively sidelines them and gives Tinubu’s team the upper hand. This, Okonkwo insists, undermines the democratic process and sets a dangerous precedent for the future.

In his statement, Okonkwo emphasized that declaring a state of emergency is about restoring order during times of anarchy, not about removing elected representatives. He stressed, “State of emergency, when declared, simply means the suspension of some fundamental rights of citizens to enable the government to restore order in a state of anarchy. It does not involve the removal of elected representatives of the people.”

Why Tinubu’s Move Could Backfire

Okonkwo also pointed out that what’s happening in Rivers State isn’t exactly extraordinary. There’s a group of individuals, he claims, who are upset with Governor Fubara because he refused to hand over the financial keys to the state. These individuals have been trying to remove him but haven’t succeeded due to the overwhelming support Fubara enjoys from the people of Rivers State. Now, Tinubu seems to be attempting to do indirectly what others couldn’t do directly. And that, Okonkwo warns, is a threat to democracy itself.

He concluded by urging the National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s decision, labeling it undemocratic. “It’s unfortunate that a sitting president will assist in unraveling our democracy,” Okonkwo said. “All democratic forces must rise up against this undemocratic act.”

So, what do you think? Is Tinubu’s move a necessary step to address security concerns, or is it a power play that threatens the very foundation of democracy in Nigeria? The debate continues, and only time will tell how this unfolds. But one thing’s for sure: Kenneth Okonkwo isn’t backing down anytime soon.