Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reverse the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, citing the action as unconstitutional and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles. El-Rufai, in a statement issued on March 19, 2025, strongly criticized the federal government’s decision, urging the restoration of the state’s elected officials to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s federal system.
The move to suspend elected officials in Rivers State, which was announced by the president in response to escalating security challenges, has sparked widespread debate across the country. El-Rufai, in his statement, argued that the suspension of these officials was not only a violation of the constitution but also a dangerous precedent for the nation’s democracy. He emphasized that the constitution clearly restricts the powers of the president, especially regarding actions that affect elected state officials.
El-Rufai’s critique focused on the fundamental principles of Nigeria’s democratic system, particularly the idea that state officials are elected by the people, and their removal should be based on due process rather than executive fiat. According to him, the suspension of the elected officials in Rivers State undermines the core principles of democratic federalism.
“The responsibilities of a president are heavy and extensive, but they are constrained by the Constitution and the law. The president’s powers do not include firing persons who were elected,” El-Rufai stated in his call for the restoration of the affected officials.
He also warned against setting a dangerous precedent by allowing the suspension of elected officials at the state level, stressing that it could lead to further erosions of democratic norms and the rule of law. This, he pointed out, could dangerously undermine the trust that Nigerians have in their democratic institutions and the fairness of their electoral system.
The federal government, in justifying the suspension, cited worsening security conditions in Rivers State, which had led to a breakdown in law and order. The president’s speech on the matter acknowledged the gravity of the security situation, highlighting threats to national infrastructure and public safety. However, El-Rufai acknowledged that the security issues raised by the government were indeed pressing but argued that the suspension of elected officials was not the proper solution.
While the need for effective security measures is crucial, El-Rufai suggested that a more constitutionally sound approach would have been for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas. Such a declaration could have provided security agencies with the extraordinary powers and resources necessary to address the security situation without dismantling democratic structures.
El-Rufai pointed out that a state of emergency would have allowed the government to take the required action to restore order, without resorting to the suspension of elected officials. This, according to him, would have been a more appropriate and legal response to the crisis while maintaining the principles of democratic governance.
El-Rufai also referenced historical and legal precedents to underline his argument. He drew attention to a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dariye vs. Attorney General of the Federation, in which the court declared the suspension of elected officials as unlawful. This ruling, El-Rufai pointed out, was clear in its stance that the actions taken by the federal government against elected officials were not permissible under the Constitution.
As an opposition figure in the past, El-Rufai had strongly condemned the actions of former President Goodluck Jonathan when he declared a state of emergency in the North-East in 2013. While Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency did not extend to the suspension of elected officials, El-Rufai saw it as a necessary response to security concerns. In his statement, El-Rufai reiterated that such decisions must always align with the constitution to avoid undermining democratic processes.
“It is my view that Mr. President should review this decision and return to the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” El-Rufai said, urging the government to restore the suspended officials.
El-Rufai also drew parallels between the current situation and historical events in Nigeria’s past, particularly the emergency rule declared in the old Western Region in 1962. He warned that allowing the suspension of elected officials at the state level could be a dangerous step that might lead to the erosion of democratic institutions across the country. This, he warned, could pave the way for further infringements on the rights of citizens and elected representatives, ultimately weakening the country’s democracy.
“Let us not keep silent while the slippery slope of replicating the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962 unfold before our very eyes,” El-Rufai cautioned. He called on patriots and voices of reason to join in condemning the suspension of the Rivers State officials, describing it as a gross violation of the Constitution and a disrespect for the rule of law.
El-Rufai’s call for a review of the suspension reflects a broader concern about the potential consequences of such executive actions. He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the decision and, in doing so, protect the democratic processes that Nigeria has fought hard to build.
Nigeria’s Constitution, which enshrines the principles of democratic governance, guarantees the rights of citizens to choose their leaders through free and fair elections. Any action that undermines this process not only threatens the political stability of individual states but also the integrity of the entire nation.
For El-Rufai, the key to resolving the security challenges in Rivers State—and across Nigeria—is to empower security agencies with the necessary resources and legal authority, without compromising democratic principles. His call for the restoration of elected officials in Rivers State is a reminder that national security should never come at the cost of constitutional integrity.
