Nigerian rapper and lawyer, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that no law grants the president the power to suspend a sitting governor.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In their place, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for six months—a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
Falz, reacting via his X handle, questioned the legality of Tinubu’s decision, stating that an elected governor can only be removed through impeachment, not by presidential fiat.
“Rivers State, there is absolutely no law that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment,” he wrote.
He further challenged the justification for the emergency rule, asking whether Rivers State was experiencing a full-scale crisis or war that warranted such drastic action.
“Is there an actual breakdown of public order? Is there a threat to the existence of the federation?” Falz queried, casting doubt on the federal government’s justification for the move.
Legal and political experts have joined the debate, with many arguing that the President’s action is unconstitutional and could set a dangerous precedent. As tension mounts, all eyes are on Rivers State, where political forces are bracing for a fierce battle over the state’s leadership.
