South-South governors demand reversal of state of emergency in Rivers
The South-South Governors’ Forum has strongly urged President Bola Tinubu to revoke his declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, asserting that the political crisis in the state does not warrant such an extreme measure.
In a bold statement issued on Wednesday, the governors contended that the situation in Rivers falls short of the constitutional prerequisites for imposing emergency rule. The forum, chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, expressed deep concern over the federal government’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state’s House of Assembly members.
President Tinubu’s controversial proclamation on Tuesday came in response to a prolonged political standoff in Rivers State. However, the governors argue that the move undermines democratic institutions and sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.
“The South-South Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended),” the statement read. “This section specifies that such a declaration should only be considered under exceptional circumstances such as war, external aggression, imminent invasion, public disorder, or natural disasters.”
The governors further stressed that Nigeria’s constitution provides a clear legal framework for removing elected officials and resolving political disputes. Citing Section 188, which outlines procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, they emphasized that the current situation in Rivers should be handled through constitutional channels rather than executive overreach.
“It is worth noting that the constitution details specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as well as for the dissolution of the house of assembly,” the statement continued. “In this case, these guidelines do not appear to have been fully considered.”
Calling for a swift reversal of the emergency declaration, the governors urged all parties involved to respect democratic processes and legal institutions.
“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the governor and the house of assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than by executive fiat,” they stated.
The forum reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic governance and maintaining peace in the South-South region. It urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, emphasizing that political stability can best be achieved through dialogue, legal resolutions, and respect for constitutional provisions.
