The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu this evening declared a State of emergency in Rivers State and handed over the Adminstration of the State to a retired military officer by name Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The President relied on section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the declaration of a State of Emergency. However, the President disregarded the same Constitution when:
1. He failed to approach the National Assembly for approval of the proclamation before pronouncing the declaration of the State of Emergency as mandatorily required by section 305(2) of the same 1999 Constitution.
2. Suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Deputy Governor and Members of Rivers State House of Assembly without any such powers being conferred on him to do so.
The State of Emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu is unconstitutional and illegal.
The President has just initiated and plotted a coup in Rivers State by using the military to take over the government of that State in an unconstitutional manner even when the inchoate declaration of emergency is yet to be approved by the National Assembly.
This is outrightly illegal, oppressive, unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Vincent Adodo, Esq.
Legal Practitioner,
18th March 2025.