The Co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, alongside other rights activists, has condemned and demanded the reversal of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
They also called for the immediate reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, describing the President’s action as illegal and a violation of the constitution.
This demand was made at a press conference in Abuja.
Reports indicate that the National Assembly endorsed the emergency rule on Thursday after receiving a letter from the President. The parliament approved the proclamation through a voice vote, despite opposition leaders’ calls to reject it.
Activists under the Citizens and Civil Society Organisations umbrella have criticized the lawmakers’ actions, stating they failed to uphold democratic principles.
Yesufu warned that allowing the President and the National Assembly to impose emergency rule unchecked would set a dangerous precedent.
“I am sure every Nigerian feels sadness at what is happening currently in our country,” Yesufu stated.
“The democracy that we have today was fought for by many people. It is only fair that we safeguard our democracy and ensure that the rule of law remains sacrosanct and that processes are followed in everything being done.
“We must understand that if we do not fix this polity and say it’s none of our business, the things happening in Nigeria today will continue, where a few citizens, who are supposedly elected to serve the people, begin to serve only their self-interest.
“We must ensure that the Constitution is followed strictly. This is not the democracy that many fought for and even died for. This constitutional rascality must stop.”
The Executive Director of FixPolitics, Anthony Ubani, who spoke on behalf of 300 other coalitions, also condemned the emergency rule in Rivers, stating that it contradicts the democratic ideals that Nigerians aspire to uphold.
Ubani further vowed that multiple lawsuits would be filed against the President’s action in the coming days.
“We demand an immediate reversal of the unconstitutional removal of the governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly members in Rivers State,” he declared.
“The President does not have the power to dismiss elected state officials arbitrarily. His actions are dictatorial and illegal and must be resisted by all Nigerians.
“We call on members of the National Assembly who were not part of Thursday’s proceedings to speak up against this violation of the Constitution. The National Assembly is the highest law-making body in the country, and it must not be allowed to selectively obey Nigeria’s laws.
“There will be several lawsuits in the coming days, and we urge the Judiciary to review each case on its merit and not dismiss them based on technicalities. History has shown that when unconstitutional acts go unchallenged, they become the norm. If Rivers is silenced today, no state is safe tomorrow.”
