President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked a wave of criticism from key figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. However, the Presidency has dismissed their objections, insisting that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed Jonathan and Soyinka’s concerns as personal opinions. He reaffirmed that the president’s decision was based on constitutional provisions to address surge of violence in the state.
Jonathan had accused the three arms of government in Rivers of abusing power, contributing to the ongoing political crisis. Similarly, Soyinka criticized the move as a violation of federalism. In response, Ajayi emphasized that Tinubu was fulfilling his duty to maintain stability, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling that Rivers lacked a functional government.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the president, challenging the suspension of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and House of Assembly members. SERAP argues that the decision undermines democratic governance and violates constitutional rights. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to overturn Tinubu’s directive.
The controversy has triggered national debate, with legal experts and political analysts questioning whether the emergency declaration is a necessary intervention or a political maneuver. Nigerian NewsDirect is set to host a webinar today at 2 PM on X (formerly Twitter) to discuss the legal and political ramifications of the president’s action.
Panelists include legal expert John Collins Nwobodo, political strategist Alhaji Jamiu Babatunde Olawunmi, and former presidential adviser Senator Babafemi Ojudu. Their discussion will explore whether Tinubu’s move is a genuine effort to restore order or a troubling precedent for Nigerian democracy.
As legal proceedings unfold and public discourse intensifies, the nation watches closely to see how this constitutional challenge will shape Nigeria’s political landscape.
