The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has denounced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it a “political coup” against the electorate. The organization is also demanding the immediate dismissal of Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing him of orchestrating the political crisis in the state.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months. This unprecedented move was justified by the President as necessary to address escalating political instability and recent incidents of pipeline vandalism that threaten national economic interests.
CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, criticized the President’s action as unconstitutional, arguing that it undermines Nigeria’s democratic principles. He emphasized that while Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency, it does not authorize the suspension of duly elected officials without due process.
The organization further accused President Tinubu of partiality, suggesting that his actions favor Wike, a member of his cabinet, over the legitimately elected government of Rivers State. CHRICED contends that Wike’s alleged interference in state affairs has significantly contributed to the current crisis, and his continued presence in the federal cabinet undermines the administration’s commitment to justice and accountability.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also criticized the suspension of elected officials as illegal, emphasizing that a state of emergency does not dissolve elected governments.
CHRICED warns that this declaration sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing the federal government to interfere in opposition-led states, thereby weakening democratic structures. The organization calls for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State and urges the federal government to cease interference in the affairs of opposition-controlled regions.
