A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has voiced strong concerns over a reported plan by the Sole Administrator appointed to oversee Rivers State to present the region’s budget for 2025. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) argues that such a move would be unconstitutional following the recent declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, the Situation Room highlighted that Nigeria’s constitution grants the authority to initiate the appropriation process solely to the elected Governor of a state. With both the Governor and the State House of Assembly in Rivers State currently suspended, the group contends that any budget law enacted under these circumstances would be legally invalid.
The Situation Room reiterated its earlier condemnation of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, describing it as an “unconstitutional exercise of executive power.” While acknowledging that the National Assembly had endorsed the declaration, the coalition expressed concern over what it sees as an “erosion of democratic norms,” which has led to public protests.
The group also raised alarm over the Sole Administrator’s announcement that previously withheld local government allocations had been released. These funds, according to the Situation Room, were withheld due to the state’s failure to conduct constitutionally mandated local government elections. They argue that releasing these funds under the current administrative arrangement disregards a Supreme Court ruling from July 2024 that prohibited the disbursement of federal allocations to unelected local government councils.
The Situation Room expressed deep concern that these “ongoing violations of constitutional provisions and judicial orders” have escalated tensions and unrest, evidenced by widespread protests. The coalition strongly condemned the recent actions of security forces against peaceful demonstrators.
Specifically, the group highlighted incidents on Monday, April 7th, where officers of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly fired tear gas at peaceful protesters in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Situation Room denounced this as an attack on citizens exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly, as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution. They expressed alarm at what they described as an “escalating pattern of government impunity” that threatens democratic stability.
The Situation Room called on all security agencies to respect the rights of protesters and urged the Federal Government to immediately restore democratic governance in Rivers State, including the reinstatement of the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly.
Finally, they called on all Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the media to defend the constitution and safeguard democracy in the country.
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