“Nobody checks his power” – Amaechi criticizes Tinubu’s state of emergency in Rivers

Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of Nigeria’s democratic principles.

Speaking at the 2025 Akinjide Adeosun Foundation’s Leadership Colloquium in Lagos, Amaechi labelled the move as a “defilement of the sacredness and sanctity of the constitution”.

Amaechi expressed concern over the increasing concentration of power in the executive branch, arguing that the National Assembly has become weak and ineffective.

He stated, “The collaboration of the National Assembly, especially as a weak institution, makes the power of the president unchecked. Nobody checks his power”.

In addition to his constitutional concerns, Amaechi questioned the transparency of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

“What process did it undergo? How did the government arrive at the cost? Who chose the contractor? Who is the contractor?” he queried.

The coastal highway project, spanning approximately 700 kilometers and estimated to cost around $13 billion, has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd., a firm linked to Gilbert Chagoury, an associate of President Tinubu.

Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have raised concerns about the project’s transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

Amaechi emphasized the need for due process and adherence to the rule of law in governance.

He warned that the absence of strong legislative and judicial institutions leads to arbitrariness.

His words: “Once you don’t have a legislature and judiciary, what do you have? Arbitrariness – whatever the president likes to do”.

The former governor called on Nigerians to demand accountability and uphold democratic values, adding that fearless followership is essential to prevent the erosion of constitutional governance.