Chairman of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, PhD, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinibu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly.
In a statement on her X account, Senator Usman described the move as a “blatant subversion of democratic principles” and an affront to the constitution. She warned that suspending duly elected officials undermines the rights of Rivers people and sets a dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy.
While acknowledging concerns over pipeline vandalism and political unrest, she insisted that the federal government’s approach is unconstitutional and heavy-handed. She called for dialogue, adherence to the rule of law, and collaboration with the state government instead of what she termed “authoritarian measures.”
The senator urged the federal government to rescind the declaration, reinstate the suspended officials, and engage in meaningful discussions to resolve the crisis.
“Nigeria’s democracy was hard-earned through the sacrifices of countless individuals. We must not allow it to be compromised by actions that contravene the very principles we strive to uphold,” Usman stated.
The declaration has sparked widespread controversy, with political stakeholders weighing in on the legality and implications of the federal government’s decision.
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