The recent suspension of democratic institutions in Rivers State, including the elected governor and his deputy, has sparked widespread condemnation from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Yet, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears unmoved by these concerns, raising fears about creeping authoritarianism in a democratic setting.
This action, which has no constitutional basis, comes at a time when parts of northern Nigeria are under siege by terrorists. Between April 2nd and 13th, over 200 people were killed in Plateau State, while neighbouring Benue recorded similarly grim numbers. Yet, instead of responding with urgency to these real crises, the federal government has turned its attention to a peaceful state experiencing only political disputes.
The Nigerian Constitution is clear. Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” This places the responsibility for protecting lives and restoring order squarely on the shoulders of the President and his security apparatus.
Last weekend, Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South publicly revealed that the terrorist group Boko Haram has taken control of three communities in Borno State, Gudumbali (Guzamala LGA), Marte, and Abadam. He stated that civil authority in those areas has collapsed and been replaced by terrorist rule. His comments on Channels TV’s Politics Today were a sobering reminder that large parts of Nigeria are slipping beyond government control.
Ndume’s statement also underscores the failure of security agencies to respond effectively due to poor equipment, weak coordination, and underfunding. These are the types of issues that should command presidential attention and emergency measures, not partisan battles in Rivers State.
To be clear, the Constitution provides a framework for declaring a state of emergency. Under Section 305, the President can do so only when there is a “clear and present danger of breakdown of public order and safety,” and even then, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly. Nothing in the current situation in Rivers warrants such drastic action under this section.
Equally important, the Constitution provides no avenue for a president to unilaterally remove or suspend a sitting governor. Section 188 outlines the due process for removing a governor, requiring the State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge, and a panel to conduct an investigation. Any attempt to bypass this process is unconstitutional and illegal.
What is most disturbing is the contrast: terrorists are openly governing towns in Borno, Plateau, and Benue, but no state of emergency has been declared there. Meanwhile, Rivers, a state with no insurgency, no widespread violence, and no imminent security threat is subjected to political disruption under the guise of federal oversight.
This selective approach undermines public trust and the rule of law. It suggests that power is being used not for national security but for political control, particularly to favour individuals such as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whose alleged influence in the matter has sparked further controversy.
If any part of Nigeria deserves emergency intervention, it is the terror-stricken states of the North. That is where lives are being lost, communities overrun, and governance dismantled. The people there urgently need a federal government that prioritises security over politics.
The President must rise to the moment. He must defend the Constitution, protect the sovereignty of the people’s vote, and deploy federal might where it is most needed. Anything less is a dereliction of duty and a dangerous precedent for our democracy.
Nigeria must not allow partisan interests to override constitutional order. Let us tackle the real emergencies and allow democracy to breathe where it still thrives.
Darlington Okpebholo Ray is a journalist, political and social rights activist, human resource expert, and PhD student in International Politics and Conflict Resolution. He writes from Greenwich, London, United Kingdom