By Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
In a troubling and unprecedented move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended democratic governance in Rivers State, Nigeria, through what many of the country’s legal minds have described as an unlawful and authoritarian declaration of a state of emergency. This egregious act resulted in the suspension of the duly elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly for a period of six months. In their place, an unelected sole administrator has been appointed to govern a state of over seven million people. This is not only a tragic abuse of power—it is a blatant rape of democracy.
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Nigeria, a country that has endured years of military dictatorship and fought hard for democratic progress, now finds itself at a crossroads. The will of the people of Rivers State has been upended by the stroke of a presidential pen, without any legitimate constitutional backing or transparent legal process. This action runs contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which does not grant the President unilateral powers to suspend elected governors and legislative bodies.
Legal experts across the nation have roundly condemned this act. They argue, correctly, that even in the gravest cases of insecurity or political conflict within a state, the President must seek a resolution through democratic means—such as declaring a state of emergency with legislative backing or involving independent institutions like the judiciary. To bypass these steps and install a sole administrator is tantamount to dismantling the very fabric of our democratic structure.
The people of Rivers State did not elect Governor Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu to be arbitrarily removed from office by executive fiat. Their mandate came from the people in a free and fair election. That mandate must be respected. Anything less is tyranny, plain and simple.
The length of the suspension—six long months—is an insult to the intelligence and rights of the people. It suggests that the federal government believes it can silence the voices of Rivers citizens, trample on their sovereignty, and expect acquiescence. But that is not the case. Daily protests by women’s groups and civil society actors in Port Harcourt and across the state are proof that Rivers people will not accept this political abduction of their democracy.
Moreover, this crisis does not exist in isolation. It sets a dangerous precedent for other states and undermines Nigeria’s fragile democracy. If Rivers State can be stripped of its democratic institutions at the whim of the presidency, then no state is safe. This kind of authoritarian overreach has no place in a constitutional democracy. President Tinubu must recognize that he is bound by law, not above it.
Nigeria is already battling a host of national challenges—ranging from economic hardship to insecurity and growing mistrust in public institutions. The last thing the country needs is a manufactured political crisis that destabilizes one of its most important oil-producing states. By suspending democratic governance in Rivers State, the President is not only igniting regional unrest but also sending a chilling message to all Nigerians: that their votes do not matter and that elected leaders can be removed without due process.
This action has already attracted the attention of international observers. It is imperative that global democratic institutions—such as the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the European Union—take a firm stand against this travesty. If Nigeria wishes to continue enjoying its position as a leading democracy in Africa, it must adhere to democratic principles and constitutionalism.
We therefore call on the international community to consider imposing diplomatic sanctions on the Nigerian government if democracy is not restored in Rivers State immediately. These may include visa bans on key officials involved in this constitutional breach, the freezing of foreign assets, and the suspension of Nigeria’s participation in democratic development programs. Democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.
Furthermore, the Nigerian judiciary must rise to the occasion. Legal action must be taken to challenge this unconstitutional suspension, and the courts must expedite hearings to ensure that justice is not delayed or denied. The National Assembly, too, must act. It is their constitutional responsibility to defend the principles of federalism and democracy. Their silence in this matter amounts to complicity.
It is also worth stating clearly: a sole administrator—no matter how competent or well-intentioned—has no legal or moral right to govern Rivers State. Any decisions made under such an arrangement must be deemed null and void. Governance cannot be conducted by decree in a democracy. The people must be allowed to choose, and their choices must be upheld.
President Tinubu must understand that legitimacy is not derived from power alone but from adherence to the rule of law and the consent of the governed. By sidelining democratic institutions in Rivers State, he has jeopardized the trust Nigerians placed in him at the national level. It is not too late to correct this mistake. He must rescind the suspension, reinstate Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu, and the State Assembly, and allow Rivers State to return to constitutional governance.
To the brave women and civil society organizations who are protesting daily in Port Harcourt: your voices are the true guardians of our democracy. History will remember your courage in the face of injustice. You are not alone. The eyes of the nation—and indeed, the world—are on Rivers State. Keep pressing. Keep demanding. Democracy is worth fighting for.
To the people of Rivers State, let this moment ignite a renewed commitment to democratic values. Let it be a reminder that power belongs to the people and must be exercised by their freely elected representatives. Reject the usurpation of your rights and insist on the immediate restoration of your mandate.
In conclusion, Nigeria must rise above this abuse of power. The path forward is clear: restore democracy in Rivers State now. Reinstate the elected leaders. Reaffirm the rule of law. Rebuild the trust that has been so callously broken. Anything less is unacceptable.
President Tinubu has a choice to make—a choice between tyranny and democracy, between lawlessness and justice, between personal ambition and national integrity. For the sake of our republic and future generations, let him choose wisely.