Amaechi further urged citizens to become more active and vigilant, warning that complacency enables the perpetuation of bad governance. He noted, “The real danger is not just in breaking the law—it’s in violating the Constitution itself.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has attributed the alleged constitutional violations by President Bola Tinubu to the perceived ineffectiveness of the National Assembly.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday during the ninth edition of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation’s Annual Leadership Discourse, themed “Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” Amaechi criticized recent political developments in Rivers State, particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state legislature.
Amaechi, while addressing participants at the event, questioned the need for “fearless leadership” in a well-functioning society. He stated, “In a properly working system, leadership doesn’t have to be fearless. You press the right buttons and things function as expected. The obsession with courageous leadership emerges only in environments where governance is already failing.”
He went on to highlight different leadership styles, pointing out that some leaders adopt an authoritarian approach, issuing commands without consultations and expecting obedience without question.
Addressing the broader issue of governance in Nigeria, the former governor blamed the country’s institutional weakness for rising arbitrariness in political decisions. According to him, the lack of adherence to constitutional principles and the rule of law has created a breeding ground for unilateral actions by those in power.
He stated, “Good governance should be rooted in constitutionalism and the principle of separation of powers. But when these are absent, leaders begin to govern based on personal whims rather than legal frameworks.”
Citing what he described as an “illegal and unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State,” Amaechi accused the National Assembly of enabling the situation through inaction. He argued that the legislature’s inability to assert its constitutional authority had effectively allowed the executive to override established legal norms.
Amaechi further urged citizens to become more active and vigilant, warning that complacency enables the perpetuation of bad governance. He noted, “The real danger is not just in breaking the law—it’s in violating the Constitution itself. The Constitution is meant to be the moral and legal compass of any nation. When its sanctity is compromised, democracy is at risk.”
He concluded with a stark observation: “Imagine a scenario where a president removes an elected governor and replaces him with a military figure, and the nation simply watches. That’s the level of docility we are dealing with—and it’s dangerous.”
Join our Channel...