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President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State has been sharply criticized by human rights attorney and activist Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who claims that it violates democratic ideals.

Ejiofor said in a statement released on Thursday that the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s legislature was unconstitutional.

“This action appears to be a calculated political maneuver designed to appease a powerful political godfather rather than a genuine response to any constitutional crisis,” Ejiofor stated.

He contended that Rivers State did not fit the requirements for such a drastic move, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“There is no war, no large-scale unrest, and no imminent security threat warranting such drastic action. Therefore, the President’s decision is unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power,” he added.

The National Assembly and the judiciary should reject the proclamation, Ejiofor added, calling the action “nothing short of a coup against democratic institutions.”

He said that Nigeria’s democratic integrity will be jeopardized if strong action was not taken.

While commending the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its prompt response, he emphasized, “This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy. We must not allow constitutional violations to stand unchecked. The world is watching.”

There has been much discussion about the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, with many people doubting the move’s political and legal justifications.

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