Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, characterizing the move as unconstitutional and unlawful. The declaration, announced on March 18, 2025, led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state house of assembly for a six-month period, due to political instability.
El-Rufai, speaking in Abuja, referenced a 2006 Supreme Court ruling confirming that emergency powers under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution cannot be used to oust elected officials. He reiterated that a governor can only be impeached while legislators must be recalled, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s decision remains the law, with no amendments altering this stance.
Constitutional Concerns
El-Rufai urged the National Assembly to oppose the president’s actions, stressing the importance of adhering to democratic processes and preventing what he described as an unconstitutional power grab. The situation calls attention to the ongoing debate around the limits of presidential powers in Nigeria, particularly in the context of state governance and political stability.
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