Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has urged the National Assembly to intervene and save the nation’s democracy from alleged impunity by the executive arm of government.

In an open letter he addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the former governor of Anambra State regretted the suspension of the elected officials in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly, saying the action of the president is ultra vires capable of fostering a culture of Impunity.

Obi said; “Your Excellencies, I am moved to come to you, the heads of our legislative branch, in this form because of the present critical situation in the country that needs your urgent and vital intervention to save our democracy.

“President Bola Tinubu’s Tuesday intervention in the ongoing Rivers State political crisis through a declaration of a state of Emergency that led to the removal of Governor Similaya Fubara .

“This is clearly an ultra vires action capable of fostering a culture of Impunity which your arm of government, the Legislature, is established to forestall,” he said in the open letter.

He highlighted the place of the legislature in the preservation of democracy, particularly by overriding executive actions capable of undermining democracy, reminding the heads of the National Assembly of the concepts of Separation of Powers, through which they would effectively checked executive abuses.

“The legislature checks potential executive abuse of power through many means including the ability to override executive actions through vetoes.

“The legislature’s override of executive actions, such as vetoes of legislation, demonstrate its power to check possible abuse of executive’s authority.

“The separation of powers, where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches each have distinct functions and powers, is a fundamental principle of democracy designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.”

On this note, Mr Obi noted the importance of legislative checks on the executive as a means of checking tyranny and ensuring that the executive operates within the law, explaining that the current situation in Rivers State throws a challenge on them as an independent army of government.

“The legislature’s role in checking possible executive abuses or excesses is crucial for maintaining a balanced and accountable government, preventing potential tyranny and ensuring that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the law.

“This situation throws a huge challenge on the two of you as the heads of the legislative arm of the country.

“I urge you, therefore, to take a dispassionate look at the situation in Rivers State and ensure that you deploy your arm of government properly in the interest of the people of Rivers State and our democracy.

“Nigerians and all lovers of democracy globally are looking up to you to correct this anomaly and show that you operate within the tenets of genuine democracy.

“I pray God to direct you alright in the interest of all Nigerians and our nation.

Accept my due regard for your high esteem.”