The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticized President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency and suspending Rivers Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy and 27 MPs for six months.
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) said in a statement released on Tuesday, March 18 that the president has no constitutional authority to remove him from office and be elected governor in a state of emergency.
“Any such action is an unconstitutional violation of democratic governance and the autonomy of state governments,” he said.
Legal bodies urge the National Assembly to reject any unconstitutional attempt to approve the removal of the River Governor and other elected officials.
“The ratification of a state of emergency must be based on strict constitutional reasons rather than a political expediency.”
The NBA warns that the dangerous precedent of suspending elected officials under emergency rule undermines democracy and could abuse the elected government in the future.
The association also requires that all actions taken by the River State be strictly in line with the constitutional provisions and the democratic norms of Nigeria, while encouraging all stakeholders, including the judicial, civil society and the international community, to closely monitor the situation in the river to prevent unconstitutional governance and abuse of power.
