New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the move as unconstitutional and an “absurd political decision” that sets a dangerous precedent.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP rejected the president’s decision, which came on Tuesday after months of political crisis in the state. The president’s declaration included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly for six months. **Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed to oversee the state’s administration during this period.
The party argued that the political situation in Rivers State had not escalated to the point that would justify such drastic federal intervention. The NNPP suggested that a more reasonable and less extreme solution could have been pursued, rather than imposing emergency rule.
In the statement, Ladipo Johnson said: “Of course, the presidential fiat invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution is arbitrary in the circumstances, to say the least, particularly given the conditions precedent and the implications for democracy and the country’s development.”
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Johnson further emphasized that the state of emergency was a “dangerous precedent” and expressed concern about its potential to be seen as a “political manipulation” by the federal government. The NNPP questioned the urgency of the action, pointing out the lack of sufficient legal grounds to support the proclamation.
The statement continued, asking, “Why the rush to proclaim a State of Emergency without the conditions precedent as required by law? Doesn’t the president’s action vitiate the rule of law he talked about in his speech? Hasn’t he, by this rash action, shown us that he does not fully understand the long-term implications and have the requisite skills required to rule a complex country like Nigeria?”
The NNPP also raised concerns about the political motivations behind the decision, hinting at the possibility that it was driven by political interests in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
In concluding, the NNPP urged President Tinubu to reconsider his decision, calling on the National Assembly to reject the declaration of emergency. The party further asked Tinubu to reverse the suspension of Governor Fubara and pursue a more peaceful resolution to the ongoing political issues in the state.
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