Tinubu’s Action in Rivers a Coup, Should Be Removed, Tried for Treason – Kenneth Okonkwo
By Everydaynewsngr - March 20, 2025
Veteran Nollywood actor, politician, and activist Kenneth Okonkwo has called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of declaring martial law in Rivers State under the guise of a state of emergency.
In a podcast shared on YouTube and availed to Everydaynewsngr, Okonkwo argued that Tinubu’s decision was unconstitutional and tantamount to a coup against the people of Rivers State.
‘What Tinubu Did Was Martial Law, Not a State of Emergency’
Okonkwo asserted that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes a state of emergency only under certain conditions, none of which, according to him, were met before Tinubu’s declaration.
“People keep mistaking what Tinubu did for a state of emergency. No, he declared martial law in Rivers State. The Nigerian Bar Association has clearly stated that none of the constitutional conditions for a state of emergency were met.”
Citing the Supreme Court ruling in Attorney General of Bendel State vs. Adeyo, Okonkwo emphasized that any act of governance not covered under an enabling law is a nullity.
He further noted that the Constitution prohibits any part of Nigeria from being governed outside its provisions, and nowhere does it allow a Sole Administrator to take over a state.
“Tinubu’s action is comparable to what happened in South Korea when a president declared martial law and attempted to remove elected representatives. Their legislature intervened and removed him from office. Today, that former president is facing trial.”
‘This Is Treason, the National Assembly Should Remove Tinubu’
Okonkwo accused Tinubu of usurping legislative powers by granting the Sole Administrator the authority to make regulations, which he described as an unconstitutional act akin to ruling by decree.
“Tinubu has suspended Sections 1, 179, 180, 188, 189, 120, 121, 117, and 110 of the Constitution to justify his actions. No state of emergency grants such powers. That is treason.”
He explained that removal of an elected governor or House of Assembly members is only permissible under specific conditions—death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity, or recall—none of which apply in this case.
“Tinubu has removed elected officials by force and installed a military-backed administrator. That is a coup. In a democracy, the only authority that can remove elected officials is the electorate or the legislative process.”
‘Past Presidents Faced Worse Security Threats, But Followed Due Process’
Okonkwo compared Tinubu’s actions to past security crises in Nigeria, including the Niger Delta militancy under Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as the Boko Haram insurgency.
He noted that despite the threats of war and terrorism, neither Jonathan nor Yar’Adua removed elected governors or dissolved state assemblies.
“When Jonathan faced Boko Haram’s invasion, he declared a state of emergency but didn’t remove any governor. He empowered security forces to restore order, not to rule by decree.”
“Even Olusegun Obasanjo, who once removed governors under a state of emergency, never targeted opposition states. His actions were later ruled illegal, but he never used it for power grab like Tinubu is doing now.”
‘Tinubu Is Overruling the Supreme Court, This Is an Impeachable Offense’
Okonkwo accused Tinubu of openly defying the Supreme Court’s judgment on Rivers State’s political crisis by preventing Governor Siminalayi Fubara from submitting a fresh budget to the House of Assembly.
“The Supreme Court ordered Fubara to re-present the budget to the 27 lawmakers. The governor agreed and invited them. They refused to show up and locked the gates against him. Yet, Tinubu is backing them and disobeying the Supreme Court. That is an impeachable offense.”
Okonkwo concluded by warning that Tinubu’s actions set a dangerous precedent and urged Nigerians to rise against what he called a coup against democracy.
“If this is not military dictatorship, then what is? Nigerians must resist this takeover just as South Korea did. Tinubu should be removed and tried for treason.”