Rivers: NNPP, CSOs, CNPP, CNG reject emergency rule, demand reversal

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked widespread condemnation from political groups, civil society organisations, and regional coalitions, who describe the move as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) strongly criticised Tinubu’s action, arguing that suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly violates the 1999 Constitution. Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, James Ezema, asserted that the president’s decision constitutes an overreach of executive powers.

“The Constitution is unequivocal in its provisions regarding the removal of a duly elected governor,” Ezema stated. “Section 188 outlines the impeachment process, which is the sole legal mechanism for removing a governor. Nowhere in the Constitution is the President granted the authority to suspend a governor or their deputy.”

He further argued that Section 1(2) of the Constitution explicitly forbids any individual or group from assuming control of any part of Nigeria outside constitutional provisions. “President Tinubu’s actions are therefore unconstitutional and undermine the rule of law,” he added.

The CNPP Kaduna State chapter also condemned the declaration, stating that it sets a dangerous precedent. Ambassador Sani Suleiman, the chapter’s Publicity Secretary, noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states in 2013, never suspended elected governors or lawmakers.

“President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the Rivers State Governor usurps the will of the people and undermines the separation of powers,” Suleiman stated. He demanded an immediate reversal of the governor’s suspension and restoration of all democratic structures in Rivers State.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) also weighed in, warning President Tinubu against what it described as Nyesom Wike’s “deranged opportunism.”

The coalition’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, accused the former Rivers governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of fueling the crisis for personal gain.

“Wike has demonstrated a troubling propensity for opportunism, leveraging his political influence to create chaos and discord within the region,” Charanchi said. “It is imperative for President Tinubu to navigate this complex environment with discernment and strength, ensuring that Wike’s provocations do not overshadow his sense of reasoning and judgment.”

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The CNG expressed concern that the crisis had led to violence in the Niger Delta, including attacks on vital oil installations. “The actions of a single individual should not dictate the trajectory of an entire region or the policies of our nation,” Charanchi warned.

Similarly, the Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD) described the suspension of Rivers State’s elected officials as an “unwarranted and deeply troubling action.”

The group’s leader, Comr. Obinna Nwagbara, urged Tinubu to rescind the decision and ensure that any impeachment process follows constitutional due process.

“We believe this suspension lacks both legal and moral justification and constitutes a dangerous overreach that threatens the very fabric of our democratic institutions,” Nwagbara said.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) also decried the emergency rule as a reckless political decision. Ladipo Johnson, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, argued that the crisis in Rivers State had not escalated to a level warranting such drastic action.

“The presidential fiat invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution is arbitrary and politically motivated,” Johnson said. “Why the rush to proclaim a state of emergency without the conditions precedent as required by law? This sets a dangerous precedent that could be exploited for political gain in future elections.”

Johnson further warned that the decision could trigger restlessness in the Niger Delta with disastrous effects on the national economy. He called on the National Assembly to reject what he termed a “presidential coup against a constitutionally elected government.”

With increasing opposition from multiple quarters, the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State remains a contentious issue, with critics demanding immediate reversal and adherence to constitutional processes.