The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly opposed the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State, describing the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA expressed grave concern over the president’s purported use of Section 305 of the Constitution to justify the suspension of elected officials. The association argued that political crises and executive-legislative conflicts do not meet the constitutional threshold required for the declaration of a state of emergency.
The NBA questioned the justification for the emergency declaration, emphasizing that such actions undermine democratic principles and the rule of law. “The suspension of elected officials and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State are unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent for democracy,” the statement read.
The association called on the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify the removal of the Rivers State governor and his administration, insisting that all actions in the state must strictly conform to the Constitution.
The NBA’s stance highlights the growing concerns over the implications of the state of emergency declaration for Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The association urged all stakeholders to prioritize constitutional processes and the rule of law in resolving political disputes.
