The South-South Governors’ Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to rescind the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 20, the forum, led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, urged the federal government to reconsider its decision, arguing that the political crisis in Rivers did not meet constitutional requirements for such a measure.
“To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the rescission of the state of emergency,” the governors said.
They called for dialogue as the best way forward and urged all parties to remain calm while upholding peace and the constitution. “The time for dialogue is now,” the statement read.
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While acknowledging the president’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order, the governors expressed concern that Tinubu’s actions violated Section 305(3) of the constitution, which outlines the conditions for declaring a state of emergency.
“This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers,” the statement read.
The forum also pointed out that the constitution provides clear procedures for removing a governor, deputy governor, or members of the House of Assembly, stressing that these processes should have been followed instead of imposing emergency rule.
“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the Governor and the House of Assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat,” the forum stated.
Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.