By Theophilus Chibuzo Oliver
On Tuesday, 28 March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the state governor, deputy governor, and all lawmakers.
Speaking through a national broadcast, President Tinubu stated that he had received a distressing security report over the past two days regarding acts of pipeline vandalism by militants. He claimed that the governor failed to take any action to address the situation.
“With all these and many more, no good and responsible president will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state,” he said.
According to the President, this justified his decision to remove the governor, state lawmakers, and deputy governor.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into a pipeline explosion in Rivers State, which led to a fire outbreak along the Nigerian Trans Pipeline, a key oil transport route to the Bonny export terminal.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency allows the federal government to assume temporary control of the state, implement emergency regulations, and deploy security forces if necessary.
However, it is important to note that while Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution grants the President the authority to declare a state of emergency, it does not provide him with the power to remove an elected governor or lawmakers. Under Section 188, the only constitutional process for removing a governor is through impeachment by the State House of Assembly.
This raises serious constitutional concerns about whether the President’s actions are legally valid or an overreach of executive power.
As debates continue, legal experts and political analysts are questioning: Is this suspension constitutional?
More updates will be given as the story develops.
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