Saturday, August 22, 2026

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

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

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.”

Arsenal players

Heading 5

Arsenal beat Coventry City 3-0 in Premier League opener

Kai Havertz found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes of the game. 

Ebola Patients

Africa

DR Congo’s Ebola death toll hits 2,500

He projected that the existing funds will be exhausted in weeks.

Troops

States

Troops rescue 43-year-old kidnap victim in Kaduna, kill terrorist in Sokoto 

The spokesperson said that troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw in disarray.

Usain Bolt

Sport

Usain Bolt registers to play for Manchester Sunday league team

The 40-year-old Manchester United fan registered as a player for Wythenshawe Vets FC. 

WASSCE digital certificates

Education

WAEC announces release of 2026 WASSCE digital certificates

The examination body asked candidates to log on to waec.org to access their certificates.