A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has fiercely condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it reckless and a direct threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
Operating under the banner of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, the coalition accused the President of abusing executive power by unilaterally removing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its convener, YZ Ya’u, the CSOs urged the National Assembly to reject what they described as an unconstitutional “power grab” and prevent an authoritarian drift that could destabilize the country.
‘A Blatant Violation of Democracy’
The coalition argued that Tinubu’s reliance on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to justify his actions was a gross misinterpretation of the law.
“Nowhere in the Constitution is the President granted the power to sack elected officials or dissolve democratic institutions,” the statement read. “This is a direct violation of the principles of separation of powers and the fundamental rights of the people of Rivers State, who freely elected their leaders.”
The group also dismissed claims that the Rivers crisis met the conditions for emergency rule, noting that such declarations are only valid in cases of war, external aggression, or a complete breakdown of law and order—none of which apply to Rivers State.
‘Stop This Executive Overreach’
The CSOs called on the international community, including the United Nations, to take note of what they described as a constitutional breach and exert diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to reverse the decision.
They also demanded that voting on the emergency declaration in the National Assembly be televised, stressing that the Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of both legislative chambers for it to stand.
“The President is prioritizing political battles over governance at a time when Nigeria is facing severe economic and security challenges,” the coalition added.
A Call to Action
Emphasizing the role of the judiciary in checking executive excesses, the group urged the courts to assert their independence and ensure that democracy is not undermined.
“Nigerians must stand in solidarity against this dangerous precedent. We demand the full restoration of constitutional governance in Rivers State,” the CSOs declared.
The controversy over Tinubu’s decision continues to spark nationwide debate, with political observers warning that it could set a troubling precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
