close
Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Tinubu lacks power to meddle in Rivers, Ondo political crises: Fashola

“Does the constitution assign a role to the President in this matter?’’

• December 20, 2023
Babatunde Fashola
Babatunde Fashola

A former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has said President Bola Tinubu has no right to interfere in the Ondo and Rivers states political crises as he recently did.

The Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, faced calls for his resignation following his ill health which necessitated trips overseas to get medical attention.

On the other hand, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State locked horns with his predecessor and political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, including the 27 lawmakers from the state who defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr Tinubu waded into the crisis and made the warring parties sign an accord with terms that primarily benefits Mr Wike, currently serving as the Federal Capital Territory minister in his administration.

Speaking last Saturday at the Nigerian Air Force Officers Mess Forum’s annual lecture, Mr Fashola asserted that since the President was not authorised by the constitution to intervene in state politics.

He added that he should not be consulted on such issues and feuds that fell outside his purview.

“Does the constitution assign a role to the President in this matter?” queried Mr Fashola, who served as the minister of works under the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

He queried whether those goading on the President to wade into state political disputes were ignorant of the law which does not permit such an action from him.

Mr Fashola stated, “Are those inviting the President to act in Ondo and in Rivers states not aware that the President has no constitutional role in these matters?”

He also advised the “leadership in Rivers State” to “do the needful” instead of looking up to the President to clean up their mess each time they erred.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

TINUBU WITH TOOTHPICK

Economy

Tinubu urged to declare state of emergency on joblessness

CHRICED has called on President Bola Tinubu’s government to declare a state of emergency on unemployment.

Hard Drugs, Governor Hope Uzodimma

States

Insecurity: Gov Uzodimma renews campaign against drug abuse, narcotics

The Imo government has renewed its campaign against the use of illicit drugs, narcotics and other harmful substances.

Kano Harmattan

States

Harmattan: Second-hand clothes dealers make brisk sales in Kano

Second-hand clothes dealers, popularly known as ‘Yan’gwanjo’, are smiling to the banks as their businesses are booming in Kano due to the harmattan season.

SATELLITE IMAGES, NASRDA

NationWide

NASRDA invites applications for satellite images

NASRDA says it has concluded plans to release high-resolution satellite images to relevant stakeholders.

GAZA STRIP IN RUINS

World

Hamas-Israel War: Telecommunications services down again in Gaza Strip

Since the beginning of the war, communication networks in the sealed-off coastal area have failed several times.

SUPREME COURT, NIGERIA PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU

Politics

Tinubu seeks Senate’s confirmation of 11 Supreme Court justices

President Bola Tinubu has sought the Senate’s confirmation for the appointment of 11 justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.