The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) stated that the president does not have the constitutional authority to remove a democratically elected governor, even under emergency rule.
“Any such action is an unconstitutional encroachment on democratic governance and the autonomy of state governments,” he said.
The NBA urged the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify what it described as an unconstitutional removal of the Rivers State Governor and other elected officials.
“The approval of a state of emergency must be based on strict constitutional grounds, not political expediency,” the statement added.
The association further warned that suspending elected officials during emergency rule could set a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing future administrations to misuse such powers to unseat elected governments.
