The Coalition of United Political Parties has described the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers as a “dangerous precedent” for Nigeria’s democracy.

CUPP national secretary Peter Ameh said in a statement on Tuesday that it was a “selective application of the state of emergency decree.”

Mr Ameh said by suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointing a sole administrator, President Bola Tinubu flagrantly disregarded the Constitution and undermined the principles of democracy.

“The selective application of the state of emergency decree in Rivers state, while ignoring other states plagued by similar or even worse security challenges, raises questions about the motivations behind such a decision.

“The Constitution is clear: a governor can only be removed from office through impeachment by the State House of Assembly, death, resignation, or completion of tenure. Nowhere does it grant the president the power to suspend a governor or declare a state of emergency as a tool for political suppression. 

“The president’s actions are not only unconstitutional but also a blatant overreach of executive power. To remove an elected official at will, he is setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

Mr Ameh said it was not just about Rivers but about the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the protection of citizens’ rights.

“If this unlawful act is not challenged, we risk creating a culture of impunity where presidents can arbitrarily remove elected officials who refuse to toe their line,” he said.

Mr Ameh said Nigerians must demand that their leaders respect the Constitution and uphold the principles of democracy.

“We must reject this brazen attempt to undermine our democracy and hold our leaders accountable for their actions,” he said.

Mr Ameh said the president’s broadcast had raised eyebrows, with many noticing that he solely blamed Mr Fubara for the political impasse, while conveniently ignoring FCT minister Nyesom Wike.

He said the omission suggested that the president had taken sides, sparking concerns about his impartiality.

“By failing to acknowledge Wike’s role in the impasse, Tinubu’s administration has created an impression of bias, which could further exacerbate the situation.

“This perceived favouritism could undermine the president’s credibility and raise questions about his commitment to fairness and justice,” he said.

Mr Ameh said the ball was in the court of the judiciary and the Nigerian people to stand up for the country’s democracy.

(NAN)