June 12 Spirit At Risk: Calls Grow Louder For Fubara’s Reinstatement
As Nigeria prepares to mark June 12 — a day symbolising the nation’s hard-fought democratic journey mounting concern over the political crisis in Rivers State threatens to overshadow the celebrations.
At the heart of the controversy is the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a move many have slammed as unconstitutional. For nearly three months, Rivers State has reportedly been under the control of an unelected sole administrator, a situation Civil Society leaders, legal experts, and concerned citizens say undermines Nigeria’s democracy and violates the 1999 Constitution.
Prince Chris Azor, a civil society advocate and President of the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), is among those raising the alarm. In a strongly worded statement, he described the situation as “a direct assault on democratic values” and called on President Bola Tinubu to act in the true spirit of June 12 by restoring Fubara to office.
“Nigerians didn’t vote for a sole administrator; they elected Sim Fubara,” Azor said. “To ignore that mandate is to betray democracy itself.”
He argues that the alleged imposition, carried out without proper constitutional backing under Sections 188 and 305, is not only illegal but sets a dangerous precedent. With fears growing that Nigeria is edging closer to one-party rule, he warned that the Rivers crisis is a test of the President’s democratic credentials.
“June 12 must be more than parades and promises. It must stand for justice, the rule of law, and the supremacy of the people’s will,” Azor declared.
With Democracy Day approaching, pressure is mounting on the Tinubu administration to choose between political expediency and democratic integrity. For many Nigerians, the choice is clear — reinstate Fubara now, or risk rendering June 12 an empty symbol.