A group of concerned Nigerian leaders and political stakeholders, led by former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, have condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Reading a joint press statement, Mr Abubakar denounced the president’s move to suspend the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly as “unconstitutional” and a “subversion of democracy”.
The group argued that the president’s actions, purportedly driven by the political crisis in Rivers State, violated the Nigerian constitution. They stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had shown willingness to implement a recent Supreme Court ruling, despite “provocative statements” from his opponents.
The statement highlighted several constitutional violations, including:
- Illegal Removal of Elected Officials: The group asserted that the president does not have the power to remove a governor or state assembly, citing Section 188 of the constitution, which outlines impeachment procedures.
- Misuse of State of Emergency Powers: They argued that Section 305, which allows for a state of emergency, does not grant the president the power to suspend elected officials.
- Failure to Meet Emergency Requirements: The leaders stated that the situation in Rivers State did not meet the constitutional conditions for a state of emergency, such as war or widespread violence.
- Lack of Due Process: They pointed out that a state of emergency requires a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly.
- Ignored Legal Alternatives: They suggested the president could have encouraged National Assembly intervention under Section 11 of the constitution.
The group accused the president of manufacturing a crisis for political control, rejecting the government’s claim of pipeline vandalism as a justification. They argued that security of national infrastructure is the responsibility of federal agencies.
They issued the following demands:
- Immediate reversal of the emergency declaration.
- Rejection of the declaration by the National Assembly.
- Judicial intervention to strike down the proclamation.
- A call for Nigerians to defend democracy.
The statement concluded by warning against the destabilisation of the Niger Delta region and emphasised that the issue was not just about Rivers State, but the future of Nigerian democracy.
National Assembly Approves Rivers State Emergency Declaration
Nigeria’s House of Representatives and Senate have both approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The House of Representatives approved the declaration via a voice vote during plenary on Thursday, also endorsing the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presided over the session, where lawmakers discussed the president’s report. The House also approved recommendations for a national mediation committee to facilitate peace between the governor and the state assembly, and a provision to lift the suspension before six months if peace is achieved.
An attempt to halt the debate, citing constitutional requirements for a two-thirds quorum, was overruled by the Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Senate also approved the emergency declaration following a closed-door session. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier read a letter from President Tinubu, leading to a motion by Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele for the closed session. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro.
This approval by both houses of the National Assembly gives formal legislative backing to President Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State.
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