The South-South Governors’ Forum has strongly opposed the six-month state of emergency declared in Rivers State by the Federal Government.
According to the governors, the situation in the state does not justify such a drastic measure, as it does not meet the legal conditions outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
They have called for the immediate reversal of the declaration and urged all parties to embrace peace and dialogue instead of executive interference.
The governors acknowledge that the President has a constitutional duty to maintain law and order across Nigeria. However, they argue that the declaration of a state of emergency should only occur under specific extreme conditions, as stated in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution. These conditions include:
- War or external aggression
- In the
- With
- Natural disasters or other significant threats to national security
The South-South Governors’ Forum believes that the political issues in Rivers State, mainly the conflict between the Governor and the House of Assembly, do not meet these criteria. They insist that the crisis is a political matter that should be handled through constitutional means rather than executive orders.
By bypassing these constitutional procedures, the governors believe that the state of emergency undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent. They warn that allowing such actions to go unchallenged could weaken the democratic process in other states in the future.
The crisis in Rivers State is largely due to political disagreements between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the House of Assembly. While these disputes have created tensions, the South-South Governors’ Forum believes they should be addressed through legal channels rather than drastic executive actions.
The governors stress that Nigeria is a democratic country where conflicts should be resolved through dialogue, legal frameworks, and due process. They argue that imposing a state of emergency on political matters can escalate tensions rather than resolve them.
To restore stability and prevent further political crisis, the South-South Governors’ Forum has proposed the following steps:
- Immediate Reversal of the State of Emergency – They urge the Federal Government to rescind the declaration and restore normal governance in Rivers State.
- Encouraging Dialogue – The forum calls on all parties involved, including the Governor, lawmakers, and political stakeholders, to engage in peaceful discussions to resolve their differences.
- Respect for the Rule of Law – The governors emphasize the importance of following constitutional procedures in resolving political disputes rather than using executive powers to override democratic institutions.
