By Abraham Teikuro Ugo
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the group decried the dissolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The leaders accused the President of orchestrating an unconstitutional takeover of the state government.
The SMBLF alleged that the impeachment notice issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly a day before the emergency declaration was a mere formality to justify the President’s action. They claimed that the Assembly, now dominated by 27 defected lawmakers from the President’s party, played a key role in the alleged plot to remove Governor Fubara.
Violation of the Constitution
The group criticized the President for invoking Section 305 (5) of the Nigerian Constitution as the legal basis for his actions, insisting that no constitutional provision grants the federal government the power to remove a sitting governor. Instead, they cited Section 11 (4), which allows the National Assembly to step in only when a state’s legislature is unable to function—without removing elected officials.
“It is most unfortunate that President Tinubu would unconstitutionally terminate a democratically elected administration on the flimsy ground that ‘some militants had threatened fire and brimstone’ against their perceived enemies,” the statement read.
The SMBLF also blamed the federal government for failing to provide adequate security, arguing that the President could not hold Governor Fubara responsible for security lapses when state governors have no direct control over security agencies.
Political Motives Alleged
The group further alleged that the move was part of a broader political scheme led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to maintain control over Rivers State by proxy.
“The decision by the President to sack the democratically elected government and appoint a military administrator is a clear attempt to hand over Rivers State to its immediate past governor, whose appetite for continued dominance over the state is being forcefully satisfied,” the statement added.
Call for Legislative Action and Public Resistance
The SMBLF urged the National Assembly to overturn the President’s decision, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for the country. They also called on Nigerians to resist what they described as a growing culture of political intolerance under the current administration.
However, they appealed to the youth of Rivers State and the Niger Delta to avoid violent protests, cautioning that economic sabotage would ultimately hurt the people.
The statement was jointly signed by prominent regional leaders, including:
HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Afenifere Leader
Dr. Bitrus Pogu, Middle Belt Leaders Forum National President
Senator John Azuta Mbata, Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General
Ambassador Godknows Igali, PANDEF National Chairman
The development has sparked nationwide debate, with political analysts and civil society groups weighing in on the implications of the federal government’s actions on Nigeria’s democratic stability.
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