Rivers Emergency Rule: Omokri Criticises Abati Over Comments On Tinubu

Rivers Emergency Rule: Omokri Criticises Abati Over Comments On Tinubu

Former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri has criticised veteran journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati over his comments on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Abati said Tinubu committed an impeachable offence by suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers.

He said this on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday, March 19, saying the President’s declaration was unconstitutional.

But Omokri argued that Tinubu acted within the legal framework set by the National Assembly, which had granted the President the authority to suspend a state governor under the Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill of 2018.

He said if Abati or others disagree with the law, the appropriate response would be to seek judicial interpretation.

Omokri also accused Abati of spreading misinformation by labelling Tinubu a “dictator” for granting the Rivers State Administrator the power to issue regulations.

He said the administrator would not create new laws but could formulate regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President.

“It would be very sad for Nigeria’s educational system if a PhD holder like Dr. Abati does not know the difference between a regulation and a law.

“A law sets the legal framework for the government, while regulations provide the detailed rules necessary for compliance with the law.

“In any case, using the platform of a cable news station to call for the impeachment of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces based on a limited understanding of the law and to misinform your viewers is rather callous and could trigger further instability,” Omokri said.