Constitutional Crisis: Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration in Rivers State Sparks National Debate

By Eke Chioma

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly amidst escalating political tensions and reports of oil pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta region. The declaration follows months of governance paralysis stemming from a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Senate, following heated deliberation, approved the emergency proclamation on Friday. Senate President Godswill Akpabio formally announced: “The Senate revokes the powers conferred on it by section 305 subsection 2 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and approves the proclamation of state of emergency declared by Mr. President in Rivers State of Nigeria.”

However, the declaration has ignited fierce opposition from multiple quarters. A coalition of opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, held a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, March 20, demanding immediate reversal of what they described as “an unconstitutional attempt to destabilize an elected government.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the action in the strongest terms. NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, during an appearance on Arise Television, emphasized that the declaration is unconstitutional, rendering the National Assembly’s confirmation void. Osigwe argued that the Constitution provides no authority for the President to remove elected officials under the guise of emergency rule and warned that this sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy.

With Rivers being a major oil-producing state, experts warn that political instability in the region poses significant economic risks for Nigeria. The country, already struggling with severe economic challenges including currency devaluation exceeding 70% between 2023 and 2024, desperately needs to attract investment in its oil sector. However, major oil companies have increasingly divested from onshore assets in favor of deep offshore projects due to persistent security threats and community conflicts.

The timing is particularly concerning as attacks on oil pipelines have historically been used as leverage by political factions and militant groups. During Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, the Niger Delta Avengers conducted approximately 50 attacks on pipelines and oil facilities, highlighting the region’s vulnerability. The federal government’s handling of this crisis could significantly impact Nigeria’s economic stability and appeal to international investors.

Since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999, states of emergency have been declared in various regions to address specific crises:

• In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, removing Governor Joshua Dariye after ethno-religious violence between Christian and Muslim communities.
• In 2006, Obasanjo again invoked emergency powers in Ekiti State, removing Governor Ayodele Fayose and his deputy following an impeachment process marred by legal irregularities.
• In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in parts of Yobe, Borno, Plateau, and Niger States, ordering temporary closure of international borders to curb insurgent movements after escalating Boko Haram attacks.
• In 2013, Jonathan extended emergency rule to all of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, deploying additional military forces to reclaim territories seized by Boko Haram.
• In 2023, President Tinubu declared a national state of emergency on food security to address severe shortages affecting an estimated 25 million people.

The Rivers State situation represents a significant test for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. Critics argue that while previous emergency declarations addressed clear security threats, the current action appears politically motivated. The coming weeks will prove critical in determining whether constitutional processes or political expediency will prevail in this oil-rich state.

Nigeria’s Broken Promise: When Citizens Must Become the Change

By Eke Chioma

Nigeria’s status as the “Giant of Africa” has become increasingly difficult to reconcile with its current realities. Once a nation of immense potential, today’s Nigeria struggles with an unstable economy, rampant insecurity, and political turmoil. Throughout March, the country has resembled an ungoverned space where accountability seems optional—particularly for the elite.

While Nigeria technically has a robust legal framework, there’s a striking disparity in how these laws are applied. The wealthy and politically connected operate with near impunity, while ordinary citizens bear the full weight of the system. Politicians demonstrate a willingness to go to extraordinary lengths to maintain their grip on power and resources, turning the nation into what feels like a theater of the absurd where both politicians and citizens play predetermined roles.

Many Nigerians now wonder if the country can ever reclaim its former stability. The answer lies squarely with its citizens. Each day brings fresh headlines about economic collapse and spiraling inflation, yet the populace largely responds with resigned acceptance—a quality once celebrated as resilience but increasingly exploited by leadership. This silence enables continued corruption and mismanagement, with dissenting voices quickly silenced through intimidation.

The recent case of Raye exemplifies this troubling pattern. After speaking out about economic hardships and questioning government accountability, she faced threats from NYSC officials—a disturbing reminder that constitutional rights to free expression often exist only on paper. Such incidents should catalyze a movement against corrupt governance, yet the response remains fragmented.

More distressing is how some Nigerians actively defend the status quo despite personally suffering under it. For a nominal sum—as little as two thousand naira—citizens will publicly support politicians working against their interests. During the recent Akpabio-Natasha controversy, women mobilized to defend Akpabio, raising questions about whether such demonstrations represented genuine support or purchased loyalty.

Nigeria’s political trajectory reveals a troubling cycle. During Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, despite relative currency stability and affordable fuel, many Nigerians demanded change—primarily due to security concerns with Boko Haram. This led to Buhari’s election, under whose leadership the economy deteriorated, the naira weakened, and insecurity expanded beyond the northeast. Farmers were killed or kidnapped on their land, and police brutality reached unprecedented levels, culminating in the ENDSARS protests. The government’s violent response on October 20, 2020, resulted in bloodshed rather than reform.

Yet this tragedy failed to break the cycle. The 2023 elections brought Tinubu to power, whose immediate removal of fuel subsidies triggered an economic nightmare. Living costs have skyrocketed, with the middle class sliding into poverty and minimum wage insufficient to purchase basic necessities like a bag of rice. Meanwhile, politicians continue their luxurious lifestyles, taking expensive trips and educating their children abroad while businesses collapse, hunger spreads, and crime rates surge as citizens pursue survival by any means necessary.

Perhaps most frustrating is the predictability of Nigeria’s political narrative. Each administration seems to follow the same failed playbook, with no genuine commitment to progress or national development. Even younger generations can recognize this pattern, while older Nigerians who have witnessed this cycle repeatedly often choose resigned silence.

The uncomfortable truth is that Nigeria will not improve through passive hope or incremental adjustments. Meaningful change requires collective action—challenging though it may be. Citizens must vocally hold politicians and leadership accountable for their failures. Silence has proven ineffective as a strategy for change. If Nigerians truly desire a different future, they must be willing to make noise.

Eke Chioma is a student of Mass communication at The Nigeria Television College Jos..