Some Nigerians expressed outrage on Thursday – earlier today, March 20 – over the endorsement by the National Assembly of the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The president had declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, March 19, citing the State’s lingering political impasse.
In the speech proclaiming emergency rule in the oil-rich State, Tinubu had announced the suspension of the State House of Assembly and the State governor, actions that many commentators have described as null and void because no such law exists, which gives the president the power to suspended Governor or Assembly member from office.
The NASS’s endorsement of such ‘illegality’ was said to have shocked members of the opposition who had earlier urged their colleagues in the ruling APC not to approve the declaration, on the grounds that it is illegal, unconstitutional and capable of eroding the country’s democratic gains.
Condemning the actions of the lawmakers, National President, Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Isah Abubakar, said emergency rule violates democratic principles.
“The decision was not only a violation of the democratic principles that underpin our nation but also an affront to the will of the Rivers people who elected their leaders through a legitimate electoral process,” Abubakar said.
“The Council views this move as an unsettling precedent that undermines the constitutional rights of citizens and disrupts the existing governance framework. Declaring a state of emergency often leads to the erosion of civil liberties and creates an atmosphere of political instability, further exacerbating the challenges facing the region.
“We call upon the National Assembly to reconsider this decision and engage in constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to address the underlying issues without resorting to measures that undermine democracy. It is imperative that the government prioritizes peace, stability, and constructive governance that reflects the values and aspirations of the people.
“The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Rivers State during this troubling time and advocates for a return to a democratic and equitable governance process.”
Also speaking, the fourth National President, Campaign for Democracy (CD) Bako Abdul Usman, described the lawmakers’ endorsement of the emergency rule in Rivers as an “unfortunate illegality”.
“Looking at the condition the Assembly equally presented after upholding the illegality by Mr. president, it clearly shows that we are not there yet; we still have a long way to go in getting things right. How can an elected Governor be subjected to sharing powers with an appointed official of Mr. President?
“That clearly shows great signs of dictatorship, because majority votes were accorded to one while the other had none.
“Looking at the calibre of our representatives in the National Assembly, going by their past records, such is expected of them as most of them lack the capacity of being there while some have questionable characters, others are full of corrupt tendencies,” Usman said.
