Prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, have called on the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The opposition leaders described the move as unconstitutional and an attempt to usurp democratic governance in the oil-rich state.
At a press conference held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku, speaking on behalf of other opposition leaders, criticized Tinubu’s decision, arguing that the president had misapplied Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which governs the declaration of a state of emergency.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly of Rivers State,” Atiku stated.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimize an unconstitutional power grab,” he added.
Background to the Crisis
The political crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for nearly two years, with tensions escalating between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The power struggle has led to a governance deadlock, affecting the administration and security of the state.
Following multiple pipeline explosions and increasing political tension, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday. In his speech, Tinubu cited the need to restore order and security as justification for suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He further appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
Within hours of the declaration, military forces were deployed to the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt, taking full control of the premises. Reports indicate that security scrutiny at the Government House has intensified, with access being tightly controlled.
Opposition’s Stand and Call to Action
At the press conference, Atiku and other opposition leaders vehemently opposed the emergency rule, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy. The former Vice President accused Tinubu of political favoritism, suggesting that the emergency rule was an orchestrated attempt to undermine Fubara’s administration while strengthening Wike’s influence in the state.
Joining Atiku in opposition to the emergency declaration were prominent political figures including Labour Party’s Peter Obi (represented by Yunusa Tanko), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties Peter Ahmeh, and Convenor of the Alternative Segun Showunmi, among others.
Several key political figures, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, reportedly sent their apologies for their absence but aligned themselves with the opposition’s stance.
Peter Obi, through his representative, echoed Atiku’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to preserve the nation’s democratic integrity. “What is happening in Rivers State is an affront to democracy. We urge lawmakers to reject this illegal emergency rule and ensure that due process is followed,” Obi’s representative stated.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The legality of Tinubu’s action remains a major point of debate, as the Nigerian Constitution mandates that any emergency rule must receive approval from the National Assembly. According to legal experts, at least 73 Senators and 240 members of the House of Representatives must vote in favor of the declaration for it to stand.
However, on Wednesday, debates in the National Assembly were postponed due to poor attendance and intense opposition from some lawmakers. House spokesman Akin Rotimi confirmed that the President had transmitted a letter on the emergency rule to the National Assembly, but it had not yet been read or debated.
“The letter from the President has not been debated, and the parliament has not taken any decision. There is nothing we can do about it for now until it is debated,” said Deputy House Spokesman Phillip Agbese.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The situation in Rivers State has sparked outrage among civil society groups and labor unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has vowed to resist the emergency rule. Many Nigerians view the move as a dangerous step toward authoritarianism and a possible test case for future political interference in state governance.
The National Assembly is expected to debate the matter in the coming days, with many lawmakers facing mounting pressure from their constituents to reject the emergency rule.
Meanwhile, security remains tight in Port Harcourt, with reports indicating that Fubara has vacated the Government House.
His whereabouts remain unknown, raising further concerns about the stability of governance in the state.
As the National Assembly prepares to deliberate on Tinubu’s declaration, Nigeria watches closely to see whether lawmakers will uphold constitutional democracy or endorse an action widely criticized as a political maneuver.
The coming days will be critical in determining the future of governance in Rivers State and setting a precedent for how political crises are handled at the federal level.
