A group of prominent Nigerian political figures has come together to vehemently oppose the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025. The leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and Tanko, a representative of Peter Obi’s Obidient Movement, held a press conference to express their concerns.
The leaders condemned the state of emergency, which they called unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine democratic governance in Nigeria. They are calling on the National Assembly to reject the presidential proclamation, which suspends the duly elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The group, representing a diverse cross-section of Nigerian politics, accused President Tinubu of violating the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The group argues that the president’s action was not only unlawful but an overreach of executive power. According to them, the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the president to remove elected officials such as a governor or a state assembly.
The Nigerian Constitution outlines the process for the removal of a governor through impeachment, as set out in Section 188, and requires a specific process that involves the state legislature, not the federal government. The statement from the concerned leaders called attention to the fact that the President’s declaration failed to meet the constitutional criteria for declaring a state of emergency, which can only be done in extreme circumstances, such as war or national security threats.
“None of these conditions apply in Rivers State,” said the group in a joint statement. “There is no war, no widespread violence, and no breakdown of law and order that would warrant such a drastic action.”
The concerned leaders also pointed out that Section 305 of the Constitution, which allows for the declaration of a state of emergency, requires that such a decision be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the National Assembly. Without this approval, they argue, the declaration automatically becomes null and void.
Atiku and his fellow political leaders argue that the state of emergency in Rivers State is not about ensuring security or public safety, but rather a political maneuver to consolidate power. They pointed to the recent defections of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the loss of seats by these members under constitutional provisions.
The group accused the federal government of using these political shifts as an excuse to create a crisis in order to justify the emergency rule. “The excuse of pipeline vandalism—an issue that falls under the control of federal security agencies—is laughable,” the statement read. “If security breaches are the concern, the first question should be: Who controls the police, the military, and the DSS? The Governor or the President?”
The group of political leaders made several demands, urging immediate action to reverse the unconstitutional declaration. They called on President Tinubu to revoke the state of emergency and restore the duly elected officials in Rivers State.
“Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship that can remove an ELECTED GOVERNOR and replace him with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR,” they said. “We must not allow the erosion of democracy.”
The leaders also appealed to members of the National Assembly to stand up for Nigeria’s Constitution by voting against the emergency declaration when it comes before them for approval. They warned that allowing such actions to stand would set a dangerous precedent for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
In addition, they urged the judiciary to intervene and strike down the emergency rule, warning that it could open the door for future arbitrary removals of state governors.
The press conference concluded with a call to all Nigerians, particularly civil society organizations and political groups, to stand firm in defending democracy. The political leaders emphasized that the issue at hand was not just about Rivers State but about the broader future of Nigerian democracy.
“Federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance must not be undermined for political gain,” said the leaders. “This is about protecting the democracy we have fought so hard to build.”
In closing, they reminded the public of the importance of a peaceful Niger Delta region to the economic stability of Nigeria and warned against political interference that could destabilize the area. “We must ensure that political crises are not manufactured for selfish interests,” they said.
Rivers State has long been a political battleground, with intense rivalry between the ruling party, the APC, and the opposition PDP. The recent defection of several PDP members from the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC has caused tensions in the state, with some viewing it as a power play to undermine the legitimacy of the state government.
The crisis has only escalated with President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, which some analysts believe may be an attempt by the federal government to further extend its control over the state’s political landscape. This development comes on the heels of a contentious Supreme Court ruling, which is being interpreted by many as an opportunity to resolve the political crisis in the state.
The state of emergency, which suspends the elected leadership of Rivers State, including the governor, deputy governor, and the state assembly, has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic processes and the possible overreach of federal power.
