By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a shocking turn of events, the National Assembly has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, effectively suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months. The decision has sparked nationwide outrage, with opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, condemning it as an unconstitutional power grab and a direct assault on democracy.
Legislative Approval Amidst Fierce Opposition
Despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers, the Senate and House of Representatives voted to support Tinubu’s emergency rule, citing security concerns and political instability in the oil-rich state. However, critics argue that the move is a blatant attempt to subvert democracy and impose federal control over a duly elected state government.
“The Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President the power to suspend elected officials,” Atiku stated. “This is an illegal and dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of our democracy.”
A Manufactured Crisis for Political Control?
The crisis in Rivers State began with the defection of 27 lawmakers from the PDP to the APC, triggering a legal battle over their seats. Instead of allowing due process, the federal government has engineered a crisis to justify emergency rule, citing pipeline vandalism—an issue critics say falls under federal security agencies, not state governance.
“The President controls the military, police, and DSS. If security has broken down, who failed? The federal government or the Rivers State government?” opposition leaders questioned.
Constitutional Violations and Legal Challenges
Legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association, have rejected the move, arguing that emergency rule does not automatically dissolve state governments. The declaration violates several constitutional provisions, including:
- Illegal removal of a Governor – Only a State House of Assembly can impeach a Governor, not the President.
- Misuse of emergency powers – Section 305 of the Constitution does not allow the suspension of elected officials.
- Lack of legal justification – No war, widespread violence, or breakdown of public order exists in Rivers to warrant emergency rule.
Call to Action: Opposition Leaders Demand Reversal
Atiku and other opposition figures have called on Nigerians to resist what they describe as executive overreach. They demand:
- Immediate reversal of the unconstitutional proclamation.
- Legal action to challenge the National Assembly’s approval.
- International condemnation of the attack on democratic institutions.
- Mass mobilization by civil society to defend democracy.
A Test for Nigeria’s Democracy
With the National Assembly’s backing, Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State has escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis. The coming days will determine whether Nigeria upholds democratic governance or slides into a dangerous era of authoritarian rule masked as national security measures.