The Washington-based Institute of Law Research and Development (ILAWDUN) has issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate reversal of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension and the controversial state of emergency declaration.
In a strongly worded statement, ILAWDUN Director Prof. Cyprian Edward-Ekpo asserted that these actions “undermine democratic principles and threaten Nigeria’s constitutional integrity.” The legal scholar cautioned that upholding these measures through the Supreme Court would permanently stain Tinubu’s presidential legacy as “the leader who legitimized constitutional violations.”
The institute’s intervention comes as seven opposition governors challenge the suspension’s legality before the Supreme Court. Edward-Ekpo warned against any judicial maneuvering to avoid substantive ruling, stating: “Should the Court dismiss this on technicalities, it will be perceived as judicial compromise under presidential influence – further eroding public trust.”
ILAWDUN emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution only permits emergency measures during complete security breakdowns surpassing police capacity – conditions it maintains were absent in Rivers. The statement noted the dangerous precedent set by suspending democratically elected officials through executive fiat.
This development follows explosive claims by Rivers’ former Head of Service alleging Governor Fubara ordered the bombing of the State Assembly complex – accusations met with vehement denial from the governor’s wife, who publicly declared “that’s not my husband.”
The institute’s rare transatlantic intervention underscores growing international concern over Nigeria’s democratic safeguards. With constitutional crisis looming, all eyes now turn to the Supreme Court’s handling of the case and Tinubu’s next moves.
