Rivers: State of emergency condemnable, we demand accountability – CUPP

John Alechenu

Abuja: The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has welcomed the termination of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State.

It however strongly condemned its declaration in the first place. The group described the situation as an egregious act of federal overreach and a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic principles.

CUPP’s National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh said this in Abuja on Wednesday.

He noted that the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months over a political dispute was an unconstitutional power grab that never should have occurred.

Ameh said, “CUPP firmly believes that democracy thrives on the will of the people and the independence of institutions, not through arbitrary suspensions or presidential proclamations.

“President Bola Tinubu’s invocation of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, citing a feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike, alongside isolated incidents of pipeline vandalism, failed to meet the constitutional requirements under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

“This action, executed without the request of elected state officials, undermined the mandate of Rivers State voters and set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of state autonomy in Nigeria’s federation.

“We demand immediate transparency from the Presidency. The legal memo justifying this emergency, the financial costs incurred, and a comprehensive review of the rights violated during this period must be published without delay. Nigerians deserve clarity to restore trust in our governance system.

“CUPP questions the justice of this episode. The six months stripped from Governor Fubara’s tenure and the state assembly’s operations cannot be reclaimed, representing a clear violation of constitutional provisions on elected terms.

“By assuming unchecked authority, President Tinubu has acted as a ‘Proclaimer General,’ threatening the democratic balance of our federation.

“We are profoundly disappointed by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case brought by PDP governors challenging the emergency.

“This failure to uphold constitutional authority allowed an illegal act to persist, exposing the Court’s complicity in prioritizing political interests over the rule of law.

“Such hypocrisy weakens the judiciary’s credibility and endangers Nigeria’s democratic foundation.

“CUPP calls on all Nigerians—political parties, civil society, and citizens—to reject this dangerous precedent and defend our democracy.

“The will of the people, expressed through free and fair elections, must remain sacrosanct.

“History will judge this episode as either a fleeting misstep or the beginning of a slide toward authoritarianism.

“We urge the government to recommit to constitutional governance and ensure such overreach is never repeated.”

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