By Zailani Mustapha A coalition of political leaders and stakeholders has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dec...
By Zailani Mustapha
A coalition of political leaders and stakeholders has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an unconstitutional overreach and a dangerous subversion of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a joint press conference held on March 20, 2025, the group decried the President’s decision to suspend the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly, stating that such actions violate the Nigerian Constitution.
“This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government,” the coalition stated.
Constitutional Violations
The leaders argued that the President’s decision violates multiple constitutional provisions, particularly those governing the removal of a governor and the declaration of a state of emergency.
According to them, Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly outlines that only the State House of Assembly has the power to remove a governor through an impeachment process, not by presidential decree.
Furthermore, they contended that Section 305, which governs emergency declarations, does not empower the President to suspend elected officials or dissolve state institutions. They emphasized that none of the conditions outlined in Section 305(3)—such as war, external aggression, or a breakdown of public order—exist in Rivers State to justify an emergency declaration.
The group also pointed out that, even if an emergency were justified, it would require a two-thirds majority approval from the National Assembly, which has not been secured.
A Manufactured Crisis?
The political crisis in Rivers State, according to the coalition, stems from the defection of 27 State Assembly members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), resulting in legal disputes over their seats. They accused the federal government of engineering a crisis to justify its intervention.
“The security of national infrastructure falls squarely under the responsibilities of federal security agencies and private security firms. If pipeline vandalism is the concern, who controls the police, the military, and the DSS—the Governor or the President?” they asked.
Demands and Call to Action
The coalition called for an immediate reversal of the proclamation, urging President Tinubu to reinstate the suspended officials. They also appealed to the National Assembly to reject the emergency declaration, warning lawmakers against legitimizing an “unconstitutional power grab.”
Additionally, they called on the judiciary to intervene swiftly and strike down what they described as a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any governor in the future.
The group urged Nigerians to defend democracy, warning that the move could destabilize not just Rivers State but the entire country.
“Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship. Even in past emergencies during insurgencies, governors were not removed. This action represents a new low for our country,” they said.
A Threat to National Stability
The coalition reminded the federal government of the historical unrest in the Niger Delta and the efforts made to restore peace in the region. They warned that political crises could reverse the fragile stability that has been achieved over the years.
“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into chaos. This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy,” they concluded.
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