The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling the move unconstitutional.
In a statement on Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) asserted that the president lacks the constitutional authority to remove an elected governor under emergency rule.
“Any such action is an unconstitutional encroachment on democratic governance and the autonomy of state governments,” Osigwe stated.
The NBA urged the National Assembly to reject any attempt to ratify the removal of Governor Fubara and other elected officials, emphasizing that emergency rule must be grounded in constitutional principles, not political motives.
The association also warned that suspending elected leaders during an emergency sets a dangerous precedent that could be exploited to undermine democracy. It called for strict adherence to constitutional provisions in handling the crisis and urged stakeholders—including the judiciary, civil society, and the international community—to closely monitor the situation to prevent potential abuse of power.
