The SMBLF has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, criticizing it as unconstitutional and indicative of growing political intolerance. The forum urges the public to avoid violence, calls for legislative intervention, and highlights that federal power should not displace elected officials. They warn that such actions could lead Nigeria towards a one-party state and undermine democratic governance.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has denounced President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu. The statement, signed by leaders from various regional groups, described this action as unconstitutional and termed it an unfortunate choice to terminate a democratically elected administration based on purported flimsy evidence of militant threats without any substantial investigation.
The SMBLF expressed concern over the implications of these actions, suggesting they reflect an escalating culture of political intolerance in Nigeria, potentially steering the country towards a one-party state. They emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution does not confer upon the Federal Government the authority to control any federating state, specifically referencing Section 305 (5), cited by President Tinubu as the justification for his takeover of Rivers State.
The forum urged citizens of Rivers State and the Niger Delta to avoid violent reactions to this development. It further criticized Tinubu’s dissolution of the State House of Assembly and the removal of elected officials by stating that these actions were motivated by a desire to install a sole administrator, effectively returning control to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers.
Furthermore, the SMBLF clarified that federal intervention in state affairs, as per Section 11 (4) of the Constitution, is permissible only when a state legislature is incapacitated. They asserted that neither the National Assembly nor the President has the legal power to eject a sitting governor or deputy governor, contradicting the basis for Tinubu’s actions.
The statement also pointed out that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, whose affiliation with the President’s party remains subject to legal dispute, share some responsibility for the Assembly’s dysfunctionality. It contrasted Tinubu’s actions with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2013 approach, which involved declaring a state of emergency in certain states while preserving democratic governance structures.
The SMBLF criticized the President for attributing security failures, such as pipeline vandalism, to Governor Fubara, arguing that such matters fall under federal security jurisdiction. They characterized the President’s decision to displace an elected government and replace it with a military administrator as a blatant power grab that circulates control of Rivers State back to Nyesom Wike.
Finally, the SMBLF called on the National Assembly to act within its constitutional rights to rescind what it termed a “despotic and ominous” decision, warning that the President’s actions could invoke memories of Nigeria’s troubled past and threaten the nation’s democratic framework. They stressed the need for the Assembly to intervene in defense of democratic governance.
In summary, the SMBLF has strongly condemned President Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, labeling it unconstitutional and an example of political intolerance. The group emphasizes the importance of protecting democratic institutions and urges the National Assembly to countermand the President’s actions to prevent a regression to autocratic governance. The situation reflects tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, raising concerns over the erosion of democratic norms.
Original Source: punchng.com
