The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming the President’s power to suspend elected governors and state assemblies during a state of emergency, describing it as a dangerous development for Nigeria’s democracy and federal system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that the ruling could undermine constitutional governance and the will of the electorate by concentrating excessive authority in the hands of the President.
The Supreme Court judgment, delivered on Monday, arose from a suit filed in April by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who challenged the legality of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The emergency proclamation had led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly amid a prolonged political crisis in the state. Following the suspension, the President appointed a retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Sole Administrator of the state for six months.
Although the emergency rule expired on September 23 and the suspended officials have since resumed their constitutional duties, the apex court nonetheless ruled that the President has the constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency and suspend elected state officials during such a period.
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC said the decision could alter the balance of power between the federal and state governments and weaken democratic safeguards.
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According to the party, the judgment grants the President broad discretion to determine measures deemed necessary to restore peace and security in any state under emergency rule, a situation it said could be open to abuse.
The ADC argued that the safeguards identified by the court — including proportionality, legislative oversight and judicial review — may not be sufficient to prevent potential misuse of presidential powers.
The party further expressed concern that the ruling could set a precedent that allows federal intervention in states based on political considerations, warning that such a development poses a serious risk to Nigeria’s democracy and federalism.