State of Emergency, A Democratic Coup Against Rivers People — Opposition Parties

Accuse President Tinubu of Bias

 

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has vehemently condemned the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The coalition called the move a “democratic coup” and vowed to pursue legal action to quash what it described as an assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

CUPP argued that the actions taken by President Bola Tinubu were politically biased and carried significant implications for Nigeria’s democratic governance. The coalition stated, “We strongly condemn the recent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. This action is a blatant violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and an alarming abuse of power.”

The President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, following a prolonged political crisis in the state. In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly for six months. The suspension followed ongoing disputes in the state and what the President termed a failure to restore order.

In response, CUPP, in a statement signed by its leaders High Chief Peter Ameh, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, and Comrade Mark Adebayo, called the suspension “unacceptable” and labeled it as an effort to advance the “dark ambition of greedy desperados” at the expense of the Rivers people. The coalition also criticized the suspension as a violation of democratic principles and the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers State.

The CUPP also referenced a past precedent under former President Goodluck Jonathan when he declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States in 2013, but did not remove or dissolve any elected officials in those states. The coalition cited this as evidence that the President’s actions were unprecedented and unconstitutional.

“State governments do not answer to the Federal government as they are separate entities. The President only has authority over federal employees,” the statement emphasized, adding that the federal government’s interference in the affairs of Rivers State could set a dangerous precedent for the future.

CUPP’s statement continued: “The suspension of a sitting governor under the guise of a state of emergency is an illegal and unconstitutional act, amounting to a coup against democracy. This move serves the dark ambitions of desperate political actors and undermines the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.”

The coalition also criticized Governor Fubara’s efforts to work within constitutional limits, suggesting that local political figures were undermining the governor’s attempts to carry out his duties, including presenting the state’s budget. According to CUPP, the actions of the state assembly members were merely distractions to prevent progress, with the aim of sabotaging the people of Rivers State.

The statement further highlighted the potential role of “Abuja-backed elements” in the recent pipeline explosion, suggesting that this could be an orchestrated event used to justify the imposition of emergency rule.

CUPP ended by quoting key sections of the Nigerian Constitution that prohibit the forced removal of elected officials and criticized the Federal Government for setting a dangerous precedent. The coalition pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Lagos State (2013) and A.G. Plateau State v. A.G. Federation (2006), which affirmed that the declaration of a state of emergency does not grant the President the power to remove or suspend elected officials.

“In 2013, former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, yet he did not remove or suspend the governors,” CUPP stated. “All democratic structures remained intact while security operations were intensified.”

The coalition pledged to take legal action to challenge what it calls an unconstitutional and unjustified move by President Tinubu.