Nigeria’s main opposition coalition, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a “democratic coup” and a blatant violation of the 1999 Constitution.
The state of emergency, declared on Tuesday, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, amid ongoing political unrest. Tinubu announced the decision during a nationwide broadcast, asserting that the move was necessary to restore peace and stability in the state.
However, CUPP leaders, including High Chief Peter Ameh, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, and Comrade Mark Adebayo, have rejected the justification given by the President, insisting that the declaration was politically motivated and aimed at consolidating power. The coalition has vowed to challenge the decision in court, asserting that it poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“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,” the CUPP said in a statement. “This move serves the dark ambitions of desperate political actors and undermines the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.”
The coalition pointed to previous legal precedents to back their stance, referencing the Supreme Court ruling in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Lagos State (2013), which stated that democratic structures must not be suspended or dissolved even during a state of emergency. They also cited the case of A.G. Plateau State v. A.G. Federation (2006), where the court ruled against removing elected officials during emergency rule.
READ ALSO:Netizens react as Tinubu declares State of Emergency in Rivers, suspends Fubara, others
“The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the declaration of a state of emergency does not empower the President to remove elected officials,” the statement continued.
“In 2013, former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States but chose not to remove the governors, stating that all democratic structures would remain intact.”
The CUPP also criticised the President for allegedly allowing his political ally, former Minister Nyesom Wike, to remain unscathed while targeting Governor Fubara. They claimed that Wike’s influence in the crisis was evident, and accused the Federal Government of deliberately creating chaos to justify emergency rule.
“This unlawful suspension sets a dangerous precedent that could transform Nigeria’s democracy into a dictatorship,” CUPP warned. “Usurping the National Assembly’s powers to control state assemblies and granting them to the Federal Executive Council amounts to a direct assault on our constitutional democracy.”
The coalition argued that the Constitution does not grant the President the authority to suspend a sitting governor and emphasised that only the State House of Assembly can initiate impeachment proceedings.
They maintained that the President’s decision violates Section 1(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits any forceful takeover of government outside constitutional processes.
Furthermore, the coalition questioned the timing of the declaration, alleging that it coincided with a planned budget presentation by the governor, thereby disrupting governance in the state.
They accused the Federal Government of systematically undermining the peace in Rivers State, citing the recent pipeline explosion as a potential act of sabotage to justify emergency rule.
The CUPP urged Governor Fubara to remain resilient and mobilise the people of Rivers to resist the unlawful takeover.
They pledged to support the governor’s legal challenge at the Supreme Court to ensure that his constitutional powers are not usurped under the guise of emergency rule.
