The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has strongly condemned the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, calling on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the forum’s chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, described the move as unconstitutional and a direct threat to democracy.
He criticized the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers, warning that such an action undermines governance and could set a dangerous precedent.
According to Mohammed, imposing emergency rule in the state is an illegal and unacceptable measure that could escalate political tensions, increase security risks, and further damage the nation’s economy.
He also accused the federal government of targeting the opposition, stating that the decision to suspend elected leaders in Rivers was a deliberate attack on the PDP and other opposition parties.
The PDPGF chairman cautioned that overriding the will of the people through emergency rule could deepen existing crises, erode trust in democratic institutions, and destabilize governance across the country.
In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the emergency declaration in Rivers, describing it as unconstitutional.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, stressed that emergency rule is an extraordinary measure that must be applied strictly within constitutional boundaries.
Osigwe reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the decision, emphasizing that removing elected officials under the pretext of an emergency violates constitutional provisions and endangers Nigeria’s democracy.
Both the PDPGF and NBA have called for the immediate reversal of the emergency rule in Rivers, urging the federal government to respect democratic processes and ensure stability in the state.
