Civil Society Groups Reject State of Emergency in Rivers, Demand Reversal
By Mustapha Salisu
A coalition of civil society organizations under the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Northwest Zone) has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group, in a statement issued to newsmen today in Kano, described the move as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
The Situation Room criticized the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, stating that it undermines federalism and disregards the will of the people who freely elected their leaders.
According to the group, President Tinubu overstepped his constitutional mandate by appointing a sole administrator to govern the state, a decision they labeled illegal and a violation of Nigeria’s democratic principles.
“The arbitrary removal of elected officials in Rivers State undermines the principles of federalism and sets a dangerous precedent where the federal government can unlawfully take over the governance of any state under flimsy pretexts,” the statement read.
The coalition demanded an immediate reversal of the state of emergency, insisting that there is no constitutional or moral justification for the action.
It also called on the President to publicly apologize to the people of Rivers State and Nigerians for violating their democratic rights.
The group further urged the judiciary and relevant stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that such unconstitutional overreach is not allowed to stand.
Calling on Nigerians, civil society groups, political parties, and the international community to reject the state of emergency in Rivers, the coalition warned that allowing it to stand could pave the way for dictatorship in Nigeria.
“Democracy must be defended. Rivers State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency,” the statement concluded.
PRIME TIME NEWS reports that the press statement was signed by several civil society organizations across the Northwest, including the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Dispute Resolution & Development Initiative (DRDI-DAG), Justice, Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), and others.
