The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach that threatens Nigeria’s democracy.
During a press briefing held on Wednesday in Abuja, the coalition of civil society organisations rejected the removal of the elected governor and deputy governor, as well as the suspension of the State House of Assembly.
They argued that the president’s actions violate the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The President’s reliance on Section 305 of the Constitution to justify this move is a blatant misinterpretation of the law. While a state of emergency may be declared under specific and extreme circumstances, it does not give the president the power to unilaterally sack elected officials or dissolve legislative bodies,” the Civil Society Situation Room noted.
Yunusa Zakari Ya’u who read the statement of the Situation Room said, emphasized that the political crisis in Rivers State does not meet the constitutional criteria for emergency rule, such as war, external aggression, or a total breakdown of public order and safety and threats to the government of a state when the governor neglects to act.
The Civil Society Situation Room which pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled on the matter, reinforcing the constitutional limits on executive powers said, it categorically rejects the unconstitutional usurpation of power and called on the National Assembly to reject Tinubu’s proclamation and uphold democratic principles by ensuring the president’s decision does not stand.
“We demand that voting on this emergency declaration be conducted transparently, with each vote televised nationally. The Constitution requires two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the declaration to be valid,” the statement noted.
It noted that the reckless decision of the President, which posses a direct threat to democratic governance, undermines human rights and violates the rule of law in the country.
The Situation Room also called on the judiciary to check what it described as “executive excesses and rascality,” urging the courts to assert their independence and prevent a dangerous precedent.
It also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS, to intervene and pressure the Nigerian government to reverse its decision, adding that, “Democracy thrives on respect for the rule of law and the will of the people. This unconstitutional move must be resisted”.
Zakari Ya’u reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to defending democratic governance in the country.
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