In a bold and unified stance against what has been described as a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s constitution, a coalition of concerned leaders and political stakeholders has vehemently condemned the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The controversial decision, announced on March 18, 2025, also included the suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly, actions widely considered illegal and an affront to democratic principles.
The leaders, representing various political and regional interests, gathered to express their outrage at what they see as an alarming slide towards authoritarianism. Their collective statement reaffirmed that the Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President the power to unilaterally remove a sitting Governor or dissolve a State Assembly. According to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the only legally recognized process for removing a Governor is through impeachment by the State House of Assembly. President Tinubu’s proclamation, they argue, is a clear subversion of this constitutional provision and an attempt to impose federal dominance over a duly elected state government.
Citing Section 305 of the Constitution, the leaders emphasized that a state of emergency can only be declared in extreme circumstances where national security or public safety is under immediate threat. However, the present situation in Rivers State does not meet these stringent criteria. There has been no war, large-scale violence, or breakdown of law and order to justify the imposition of emergency rule. The leaders pointed out that even in previous instances where states of emergency were declared, the affected governors were never removed from office, reinforcing the argument that President Tinubu’s decision is politically motivated rather than a legitimate security measure.
The political turmoil in Rivers State stems from the defection of 27 members of the State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that resulted in their loss of seats as stipulated by constitutional provisions. Rather than allowing due process to take its course, the federal government appears to have orchestrated a crisis to justify what many believe to be a premeditated and unconstitutional action. The leaders dismissed the administration’s justification for the emergency declaration—alleged pipeline vandalism—as baseless, arguing that security of national infrastructure is the sole responsibility of federal security agencies.
The political stakeholders also raised concerns about the lack of due process in President Tinubu’s proclamation. Even if an emergency declaration were valid, they pointed out that it would still require a two-thirds majority approval from all members of the National Assembly. Without such legislative endorsement, the emergency rule should automatically cease to have any legal effect. They called on Senators and Representatives to reject the President’s action and refuse to be complicit in an unconstitutional power grab.
In response to these developments, the coalition/political stakeholders has issued a series of demands. First, they have called for the immediate reversal of the unconstitutional proclamation and the reinstatement of the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State. They have also urged the National Assembly to reject the move, emphasizing that lawmakers must defend democracy and uphold the rule of law. Additionally, they have appealed to the judiciary to intervene decisively and strike down what they describe as a dangerous precedent that could be used in the future to arbitrarily remove any Governor.
Beyond legal and political responses, the political stakeholders are calling on civil society organizations, pro-democracy groups, and Nigerians across the country to resist this blatant assault on democracy. They warned that if this unconstitutional action is allowed to stand, it could set a precedent for further executive overreach, potentially threatening Nigeria’s entire democratic structure. Citizens must remain vigilant and united in protecting the hard-earned democratic rights that have been fought for over decades.
The historical significance of this crisis cannot be overstated. The Niger Delta, which Rivers State is a crucial part of, has seen decades of unrest and instability. Efforts to restore peace in the region have been painstakingly achieved, and any attempt to impose federal control through unconstitutional means could reignite tensions. The leaders reminded the federal government that stability in the Niger Delta is integral to Nigeria’s economic health and warned against any actions that could plunge the country into unnecessary turmoil.
As Nigeria navigates this critical moment, the coalition/political stakeholders urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, uphold the constitutional order, and avoid a legacy of undemocratic governance. The country, they asserted, cannot afford a return to an era where political expediency trumps constitutionalism. This crisis is not just about Rivers State; it is about the very survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
Read also: State of Emergency: “Reverse Fubara’s suspension, this is abuse of power- CNPP Urges Tinubu
