South-South Governors Speak Out On Tinubu's Emergency Declaration In Rivers State

Southern Governors Question Tinubu's Decision on Rivers State

Hey there, let's break this down for you. The South-South Governors’ Forum has taken a firm stance against President Bola Tinubu's decision to impose a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State. They believe the political climate in the region doesn’t justify such a drastic measure. This isn't just a political move; it's a significant development that could shape the future of governance and state relations in Nigeria.

For context, President Tinubu recently suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly due to a prolonged political crisis in Rivers. But the South-South Governors’ Forum isn’t backing down without a fight.

Chairman Douye Diri's Perspective

In a strongly worded statement issued by the South-South Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, the group acknowledged President Tinubu's duty to maintain law and order. However, they argued that the conditions specified in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution for declaring a state of emergency simply haven't been met. This is a big deal because it questions the legal basis for the President’s actions.

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Moreover, the Forum emphasized that the removal of a governor, deputy governor, or members of the House of Assembly must strictly follow the constitutional procedures outlined in Section 188. They believe due process hasn’t been fully respected before declaring the state of emergency. This raises serious concerns about how decisions of this magnitude are being made.

When Does a State of Emergency Make Sense?

According to the Forum's statement, the current political disputes in Rivers State don’t meet the high bar set by the Constitution for declaring a state of emergency. They pointed out that such declarations should only be considered in extreme scenarios, like war, external aggression, an impending invasion, or a complete breakdown of public order. It’s also important to consider existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers. These are the kinds of situations that truly call for such extraordinary measures.

Here’s a direct quote from their statement: “The current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in the Constitution. Such a declaration should be considered only under extreme conditions.” They further added, “We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”

A Call for Dialogue and Stability

Looking ahead, the South-South Governors’ Forum has urged President Tinubu to withdraw the state of emergency immediately. Their reasoning is simple: this move could help ease tensions and restore stability in the region. The Forum also encouraged all parties involved to stay calm, respect the Nigerian Constitution, and engage in meaningful dialogue as the best way to resolve the crisis.

They wrapped up their statement with a powerful message: “The moment for dialogue is now.” This highlights the importance of communication and cooperation over unilateral decisions. It’s a reminder that, even in the face of political conflict, finding common ground is always possible.