The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional takeover of a democratically elected government.
The controversial decision, which led to the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the dissolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has sparked intense debate over federal overreach and the rule of law in Nigeria.
According to the SMBLF, the impeachment notice against Governor Fubara and his deputy, issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly a day before the emergency declaration, bore a striking resemblance to the reasons later cited by President Tinubu for his intervention. The group alleged that the assembly members behind the impeachment belonged to the president’s political party and were working in concert with the federal government to orchestrate a coup against the elected leadership of Rivers State.
The SMBLF further pointed out that the declaration of a state of emergency was not only unconstitutional but also unnecessary. They highlighted that while the president cited security concerns—including pipeline vandalism and alleged threats from militants—there was no proper investigation into these claims. More importantly, they noted that security falls under federal jurisdiction, making it unjust to blame the governor for failures in intelligence gathering or law enforcement.
Citing Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the leaders emphasised that while the National Assembly has the authority to enact laws for a state whose legislature is unable to function, it is expressly prohibited from removing the governor. By unilaterally dissolving the Rivers State House of Assembly and dismissing the governor, the president had overstepped his constitutional limits.
The SMBLF also drew comparisons to past emergency declarations, particularly under former President Goodluck Jonathan, who imposed emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2013. Unlike the current situation, Jonathan’s government did not dismantle existing democratic structures, allowing governors in the affected states to remain in office. The group argued that this precedent underscores the illegality of President Tinubu’s actions.
Amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s democratic stability, the SMBLF called on the National Assembly to act swiftly and countermand what they described as the president’s “despotic and ominous order.” They warned that allowing the federal government to arbitrarily dissolve state governments would set a dangerous precedent that could lead to a slide into authoritarianism.
Furthermore, the forum urged youths in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region to avoid resorting to violence in response to the crisis. They emphasised that any form of economic sabotage, including attacks on oil facilities, would ultimately harm the people rather than the political actors responsible for the situation.
As tensions continue to rise, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads. The decision to impose emergency rule in an oil-rich state like Rivers carries significant political and economic implications. Rivers State is a key contributor to Nigeria’s oil revenue, and instability in the region could have ripple effects on the nation’s economy.
