Outrage as Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers Sparks Constitutional Crisis
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the purported suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have sparked widespread outrage, with legal experts, opposition leaders, and civil society groups condemning the move as unconstitutional and a dangerous assault on democracy.
The announcement, which Tinubu justified by citing escalating political tensions and alleged acts of vandalism on federal infrastructure, has been met with stiff opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other political figures who argue that the move undermines Nigeria’s democratic structure.
NBA: Tinubu Lacks Power to Remove an Elected Governor
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly rejected the President’s action, insisting that Tinubu has no constitutional authority to remove an elected governor under emergency rule.
In a statement issued by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA warned that such an action is a dangerous overreach, setting a precedent that could be used to remove elected officials arbitrarily in the future.
“The 1999 Constitution does not grant the President the power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of a state’s legislature under the guise of a state of emergency. Rather, the Constitution provides clear procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor as per Section 188. Similarly, the removal of members of the House of Assembly and dissolution of parliament is governed by constitutional provisions and electoral laws, none of which appear to have been adhered to in the present circumstances.”
The legal body further argued that a state of emergency does not automatically dissolve a democratically elected government and urged the National Assembly to reject the unconstitutional attempt to remove Fubara and his administration.
“Suspending elected officials under emergency rule sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and could be misused to unseat elected governments in the future.”
Atiku: Tinubu’s Move Is Reckless and Undemocratic
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the move, describing it as a reckless assault on democracy. He argued that the President’s actions effectively return Nigeria to an era of lawlessness and impunity.
“The unilateral decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State from office is not only unconstitutional but also reckless. It has plunged us back into a state of lawlessness, hugely undoing the progress we have made in these 26 years of democratic journey.”
Atiku further accused Tinubu of deliberately disregarding the rule of law, stating:
“By disregarding the rule of law, the President has shown a dangerous willingness to trample on democracy. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs.”
Peter Obi: A Direct Attack on Democracy
Labour Party’s Peter Obi also weighed in, warning that the decision to suspend the elected government of Rivers State is an unconstitutional overreach that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria.”
Obi further called on the National Assembly and civil society to resist the unconstitutional move, stating that failure to do so could foster a dangerous culture of impunity.
“Having already been grappling with non-adherence to electoral qualifications, rules, and massive rigging, adding arbitrary removal of elected officials will push us to a state of nature and anarchy.”
AA: Tinubu’s Actions Are Politically Motivated
Another opposition figure, AA, accused Tinubu of orchestrating the crisis in Rivers State for political gain, stating that his failure to de-escalate tensions before resorting to emergency rule exposes his partisan interests.
“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.”
He further held the President responsible for the destruction of national infrastructure in Rivers State.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and @officialABAT’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Growing Opposition Against Tinubu’s State of Emergency
The declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State has raised serious concerns over the rule of law and the separation of powers in Nigeria. With the NBA, Atiku, Obi, and other opposition figures strongly condemning the move, the situation is likely to escalate further as legal and political battles unfold.
The National Assembly’s response to the proclamation will be crucial in determining whether this controversial decision stands or is overturned. However, for many, the attempt to unseat an elected governor without due process is already seen as a step too far—one that could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.