The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Condemns President Tinubu’s Unconstitutional Removal of Elected Representatives in Rivers State.
By Raymond Enoch
In a bold and strong statement, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent actions regarding Rivers State, calling such decision as a dangerous and unconstitutional threat to Nigeria’s democratic system.
The Situation Room, a coalition of civil society organizations, voiced strong opposition to the President’s unilateral declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, his removal of the state’s duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor, and the suspension of the State House of Assembly for six months.
At the heart of the condemnation is the Situation Room’s argument that the President’s reliance on Section 305 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to justify his actions is a gross misinterpretation of the law. “The Constitution does allow for the declaration of a State of Emergency, but it strictly limits the circumstances under which it can occur,” said Yunusa Zakara Ya’u, Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room. “This is a direct violation of the separation of powers and the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State.”
The civil society group made it clear that the political situation in Rivers does not qualify under the constitutional criteria for such an emergency declaration, which includes instances like war, external aggression, or a breakdown in public order. The Situation Room also pointed to a judgment by the Supreme Court, referenced by President Tinubu himself, which further underscores the lack of justification for such an emergency.
“The President’s actions,” the statement reads, “undermine the will of the people, who freely elected their leaders in Rivers State, and set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
The Situation Room is now calling on Nigeria’s National Assembly to reject the emergency declaration, urging both the Senate and the House of Representatives to refuse approval. With the law stipulating that a two-thirds majority of both chambers is required for the declaration to pass, the Situation Room is calling for a televised, transparent vote where all members cast their ballots electronically.
“We believe that the Senate and the House must fulfill their constitutional duty to act as checks on executive overreach,” Ya’u emphasized. “Failure to do so would not only endanger Nigeria’s democracy but would also send the message that executive tyranny is permissible.”
As pressure mounts on the National Assembly, the Situation Room also directed a sharp critique at the Presidency’s focus on political battles, accusing the government of ignoring the nation’s most urgent issues, including its economic and security challenges.
Further amplifying their stance, the Situation Room is calling on the international community to take a firm stand on this constitutional violation. The group urges the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS to apply diplomatic pressure on Nigeria’s government to reverse these actions and restore constitutional governance in Rivers State.
“The world must see this for what it is: an assault on democracy that must not be allowed to succeed,” said the Situation Room’s statement. “Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and due process must be upheld.”
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room reiterated its dedication to defending democracy, rule of law, and the principles of good governance in Nigeria. It called for nationwide solidarity in resisting any move toward executive overreach and ensuring the restoration of constitutional governance in Rivers State.
