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Niger Delta activist, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has raised alarm over the disappearance of Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, after he was removed from office by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
Naija News reports that Sara-Igbe expressed deep concern during an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, March 20, 2025, claiming that the governor has not been seen or heard from since his suspension.
On Tuesday, March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to escalating political unrest, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly.
Following the president’s declaration, Fubara, his family, and his security team vacated the Rivers State Government House.
However, according to Sara-Igbe, there has been no communication or sighting of the suspended governor since his removal. He stressed that this situation is causing growing worry among the people of Rivers State.
“We have not seen Fubara, and nobody has communicated with him. We don’t know what has happened to him or where he is. His life is in danger. We have tried to reach out to him, but we cannot get in touch. All Nigerians need to know that Fubara’s life is in danger,” Sara-Igbe stated.
He further emphasized that the people of Rivers State are deeply concerned, as there has been no official update or any confirmation of Fubara’s whereabouts.
Sara-Igbe continued, “Until we see Fubara speak face-to-face or on television, we have not seen him. We haven’t heard from him. He was locked up in the government house, and now that he’s been released, where to? We don’t know. This is a war against Rivers State, not just against Fubara.”
The activist called on Nigerians to protest against what he described as the “illegal suspension” of Fubara, warning that allowing such actions to go unchecked could set a dangerous precedent across the country.
He urged Nigerians to take a stand, saying, “If Nigerians keep quiet and allow this to happen, it will happen in other places.”
With Voice Vote, House Of Reps Approves Rivers Emergency Rule, Fubara’s Six Months Suspension
AFOLABI
The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of a state of emergency for Rivers State.
Naija News reports that the lawmakers also approved the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the assembly, as announced by President Tinubu.
The House of Representatives on Thursday debated on the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers.
At the commencement of the debate on Thursday, a rep member demanded a head count of members present in the session to ensure that two-thirds necessary to form a quorum were present in the House.
However, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that the attendance register would be used instead of going for a head count.
“I want the house to note that today’s plenary is being attended by 243 members based on our attendance register. Just for the record, we’ve more than satisfied the requirement for this particular amendment,” the Speaker said.
Naija News reports that the Green Chamber has adjourned until next Tuesday.
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Gospel musician Testimony Jaga has shared testimony of how he gave his life to Christ after a life-changing experience in jail.
In 2011, Jaga said he was wrongfully arrested and jailed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Speaking with Pulse, Jaga said he had been living with a friend who promised to help his music career, but things took a drastic turn when some people came to their house and arrested him for stealing along with everyone else in the house, despite being innocent.
This experience made him realise the harsh reality of life, and he eventually found solace in his faith.
After spending six months in jail, Jaga was cleared of all charges and released.
This marked a turning point in his life, as he decided to give his life to Christ.
He said: “In 2011, I gave my life to Christ after I left jail. I found myself in jail, not because I was a thief or anything. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Some people wanted to go do something, you know, like stealing. They came to the house where I was staying. I was sharing a house with someone who had promised to sign me.
“I was there, and stuff like that happened. When the police came, they arrested everyone around. That was when I saw the reality of life. I got myself into that mess, but with God’s mercy, I was saved. After six months, I came out of jail and gave my life to Christ.”
[Nation]
REWIND: In 2014, reps rejected Jonathan’s request to extend emergency in three north-east states
AFOLABI
The house of representatives declined President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for an extension of emergency rule in three north-east states in 2014.
On May 14, 2013, Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa as Boko Haram intensified its bombings, abductions, territorial seizures and killings.
The declaration sought to restore order and prevent the terrorist group from devastating large swathes of the region.
After the initial six-month period of the emergency elapsed on November 14, 2013, two subsequent six-month extensions were approved by the national assembly in November 2013 and May 2014.
However, Jonathan’s push for a third extension of the emergency measure was rebuffed by the green chamber in November 2014.
The request failed to secure the required two-thirds majority on November 20, effectively ending the 18-month emergency rule.
On May 14, 2013, Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa as Boko Haram intensified its bombings, abductions, territorial seizures and killings.
The declaration sought to restore order and prevent the terrorist group from devastating large swathes of the region.
After the initial six-month period of the emergency elapsed on November 14, 2013, two subsequent six-month extensions were approved by the national assembly in November 2013 and May 2014.
However, Jonathan’s push for a third extension of the emergency measure was rebuffed by the green chamber in November 2014.
The request failed to secure the required two-thirds majority on November 20, effectively ending the 18-month emergency rule.
JUMPING FENCES
When the house convened to deliberate on Jonathan’s request, the session was anything but routine, and the entrance to the National Assembly Complex was fortified.
Security agents had blocked lawmakers from accessing the chamber, forcing some, including Aminu Tambuwal, the house speaker, to scale the fence of the complex into the chamber.
Once inside, the mood was tense. Lawmakers from the north-east were vocal in their opposition, with other lawmakers arguing that the emergency rule had exacerbated the insecurity in the region.
Police fired tear gas into the chamber following a clash with at least 200 supporters of Tambuwal who had been prevented from entering the building to vote.
HURDLE BEFORE TINUBU IN N’ASSEMBLY
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the protracted political crisis in the south-south state.
Tinubu also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.
For the emergency rule to take effect, section 305 (2) of the constitution states that the president must transmit the proclamation to the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives.
There is a raging debate on where the president derived the power to suspend an elected governor as this is not expressly provided for in the 1999 constitution.
With 360 members in the green chamber and 109 in the red chamber, Tinubu needs at least 240 votes in the house of reps and 73 in the senate for his proclamation to stand.
On the contrary, it takes only 36 senators to defeat the proclamation.
Even if the senate passes it, 121 reps can vote it down.
Sources in the national assembly told TheCable that the president’s foot soldiers are struggling to get the numbers required for the Rivers emergency rule.
The Oyo state government has withdrawn the criminal case against Oriyomi Hamzat, Naomi Silekunola and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi over the fatal stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024.
Abiodun Aikomo, commissioner of justice and attorney-general of Oyo, confirmed the development on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the ruling.
The Ibadan high court struck out the case after it was withdrawn by the attorney-general.
Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; and Abdullahi, principal of the Islamic High School, were standing trial for their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan in December, which claimed the lives of over 30 people, most of whom were children.
They were initially remanded at the Agodi correctional facility and were granted bail on January 14 in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.
In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related charges against the trio.
Speaking after the court session, Aikomo said the state decided to withdraw the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs in circumstances that are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo said.
“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.
“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them.
“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.”
OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT
Also speaking, Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, said the families of the victims and the defendants reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.
“The good thing is that the defendants as well as the state met and considered wider implication of the case and decided to put a stop to it so that it will not send a wrong signal to the larger society because if the crisis is allowed to persist, you will discover that men of goodwill will be running away from Oyo state. Just to run away from such, the two sides decided to find an amicable solution,” Olajide said.
“They were brought into the picture, they were appealed to and they were made to understand that this is a thing that happened as a result of an accident which can happen anytime.
“It is beyond human control. So they agreed with us… and we said we can still go ahead and show empathy to the families of the deceased.
“The state appreciated that and in consequence decided to withdraw the charges against the defendants.
“We thank God, we all went to the river and we came back with our pots full of water to quench the thirst of each and every one of us.”
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians should stand up and defend the country’s democracy by resisting the state of emergency declared in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu.
The former vice-president spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a press conference of concerned political leaders.
He said it is not only the responsibility of the opposition parties to defend democracy but the duty of everyone to reject the “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.
On Tuesday, Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis in the state.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers, his deputy and the state house of assembly.
He also appointed a sole administrator for the state.
Abubakar said Tinubu must immediately reverse the emergency rule and reinstate the governor, his deputy and the house of assembly.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly of Rivers state,” he said.
“We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval. The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.
“We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this proclamation, as it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.
“We call on all civil society organisations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience to stand firm in the defence of this democracy that we have all toiled to build. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR.
“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action, by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country.
“The historical unrest in the Niger Delta should not be forgotten so soon. Past administrations had made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to the economic health and stability of Nigeria itself. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to the past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good.
“We must never allow personal political interests and the desire to hold on to power at all costs to throw the country into unavoidable chaos through brazen subversion of the principles of federalism, democracy, and constitutional governance. This is not just about Rivers State it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”
In attendance at the press briefing were Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo, among others.
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed and adopted the proclamation of President Tinubu through a voice vote with 243 members in attendance.
The House also made recommendations to the proclamation.
The House recommended that a national committee should be set up to mitigate and restore peace back to Rivers State.
Secondly, the National Assembly should take over the activities of the state Assembly within six months.
Details soon...
The south-south governors’ forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to rescind his emergency rule declaration in Rivers state.
In a statement, the group argued that the political crisis in the state does not justify the proclamation of a state of emergency.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers over the protracted crisis.
He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and members of the house of assembly.
In a statement signed by Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa and forum chairman, the governors said the suspension of elected officials in Rivers was a drastic measure.
They acknowledged the constitutional role of the president in maintaining law and order but implored that the constitutional role of governors to ensure peace and stability in their states be respected.
“The south-south Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers state does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended),” the statement reads.
“This section suggests that such a declaration should be considered under specific conditions like war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, existential threats to Nigeria, natural disasters, or other significant public dangers.”
The forum said the constitution provides clear procedures for the removal of elected officials.
“It is also worth noting that the constitution outlines specific procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as detailed in Section 188, and similar provisions exist for the removal of members of the house of assembly and the dissolution of parliament. In the current situation, it appears that these guidelines might not have been fully considered,” they added.
“We believe that the political disputes in Rivers State between the governor and the house of assembly should, ideally, be resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than by executive fiat.”
The governors proposed an immediate end to the emergency rule as a step towards lasting peace and called on all parties to respect the constitution.
Your Constitutional Responsibility Does Not Include Suspending Or Firing Fubara – El-Rufai Blasts Tinubu
AFOLABI
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is wrong to have suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
Recalls that in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspended all elected officials for six months.
Reacting in a statement he personally released on Wednesday night, El-Rufai pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution does not support the suspension of a governor by the president.
According to him, it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level.
The former governor said a state of emergency could surely have been proclaimed to grant the relevant security agencies the extraordinary powers and necessary resources to enable them to address insecurity in Rivers but extending such an emergency regime to include the dismantling of democratic structures is a wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law.
El-Rufai’s statement read: “There are things that are so clearly wrong that the justifications summoned in their defence fall flat. The decision of Mr. President to suspend the elected officials of the Rivers State Government is one of those. Our country’s Constitution does not support it precisely because it is dangerous to our system of democratic federalism for an elected president to assume and exercise powers to suspend elected officials at the State level. The responsibilities of a president are heavy and extensive, but they are constrained by the Constitution and the law and certainly do not include firing persons who were elected.
“The security issues cited in the President’s speech surely deserve the most serious attention and sustained efforts to contain the threats and preserve vital national infrastructure. That is a duty that we ought to vigorously support the security agencies to successfully discharge. A state of emergency could surely have been proclaimed to grant the relevant security agencies the extraordinary powers and necessary resources to enable them to address the problem. Extending the provisions of such an emergency regime to include the dismantling of democratic structures is a wanton aggression against democratic tenets and the rule of law. The Supreme Court has conclusively declared the suspension of elected officials unlawful in the Dariye vs.Attorney General of the Federation.
“It is my view that Mr. President should review this decision and return to the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law. As an opposition figure, Senator Bola Tinubu had made his voice heard against the decision of then President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the North-East, even when that decision did not extend to the suspension of elected officials and institutions. A similar reconsideration is warranted in this case to contain the damage done to the people of Rivers State, and restore the Federal Government to compliance with the Constitution.
“Let us not keep silent while the slippery slope of replicating the events of emergency rule in the old Western Region in 1962 unfold before our very eyes. I appeal to all patriots and voices of reason to join in calling an end to this gross violation of the Constitution and disrespect for the rule of law.”
President Bola Tinubu is facing an uphill battle in his bid to secure two-thirds majority in the national assembly to approve his declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state, TheCable can report.
On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the south-south state, citing the protracted political crisis.
The president controversially suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house assembly members for six months.
Tinubu nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral and former chief of naval staff, as the administrator.
For the emergency rule to take effect, section 305 (2) of the constitution states that the president must transmit the proclamation to the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives.
There is a raging debate on where the president derived the power to suspend an elected governor from as this is not expressly provided for in the 1999 constitution.
There is also no provision for the appointment of an administrator in the constitution, although President Olusegun Obasanjo set the disputed precedent.
TWO-THIRDS ROADBLOCK
Section 305 (6) stipulates that a “proclamation issued by the President under this section shall cease to have effect (b) if it affects the Federation or any part thereof and within two days when the National Assembly is in session, or within ten days when the National Assembly is not in session, after its publication, there is no resolution supported by two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the proclamation.”
With 360 members in the green chamber and 109 in the red chamber, Tinubu needs at least 240 votes in the house of reps and 73 in the senate for his proclamation to stand.
On the contrary, it takes only 36 senators to defeat the proclamation.
Even if the senate passes it, 121 reps can vote it down.
Sources in the national assembly told TheCable that the president’s foot soldiers are struggling to get the numbers.
Owing to the insufficient numbers, the senate on Wednesday deferred the motion to Thursday.
Sources say many lawmakers remain unconvinced about the necessity and legality of Tinubu’s action which they believe could set a dangerous precedent.
An insider said lawmakers are divided along party lines, with opposition members and even some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wary of endorsing the emergency rule.
If the president fails to secure the two-thirds majority in both chambers to approve the emergency rule by Thursday as stipulated in the constitution, Tinubu will be forced to revoke his proclamation, effectively restoring Fubara and his administration.
QUORUM QUAGMIRE
Another major challenge, some lawmakers told TheCable, is that both the senate and house of reps are struggling to form a quorum because many members are out of the country.
A significant number of the lawmakers are in Saudi Arabia observing the lesser hajj and Ramadan fasting.
The quorum for senate is 37 while that of the house is 120.
“Even if we manage to form a quorum, the constitution says the vote shall involve all members — meaning 109 in the senate and 360 in the house,” a member of the house of reps told TheCable.
The leaders of the national assembly were collecting signatures on Wednesday night so that members can vote in absentia — but some lawmakers have pointed out that it will be unconstitutional.
Section 305 (2) of the 1999 constitution stipulates that president of the senate and the speaker of the house shall “convene” or “arrange for a meeting” to consider the situation “and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”.
“There is no provision for absentee or WhatsApp voting,” a senator told TheCable on Wednesday night.
“Every member will stand up and declare if they are in support of or against the declaration of the state of emergency.”
‘A BIG MISCALCULATION’
An APC senator told TheCable that the president did not do his homework before declaring the state of emergency “and he has now put us in a difficult situation”.
The constitution stipulates in subsection 6 that for the proclamation to have effect, it must be approved within two days if the national assembly is in session — or ten days if it is not.
“We had adjourned till Wednesday when the president made the announcement, so automatically we are in session and that means we have to vote within two days, latest Thursday,” he said.
“If he had co-ordinated well with us, we would have adjourned indefinitely before the proclamation — and that means we would have had 10 days to get our act together and gather the numbers.”
On Tuesday night, after the president declared the emergency rule, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, said Tinubu consulted the national assembly before the announcement.
Rotimi added that Tinubu’s letter informing the house of representatives of his decision, and seeking approval on the state of emergency in Rivers in line with section 305 of the constitution, has been transmitted to the green chamber and would be read during plenary on Wednesday for further legislative action.
However, the letter was not read on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday.
The senate stepped down a motion for the consideration of the emergency rule during Wednesday’s plenary.
The motion, listed as the first item for discussion, was put on hold before any debate could take place.
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Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly sworn-in sole administrator of Rivers, says he will work with all stakeholders to ensure that peace and stability is restored in the state.
Ibas, a retired vice admiral, was sworn in as the sole administrator of Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
His swearing-in follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by Tinubu, and further suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and members of the state’s legislature.
Rivers state has been embroiled in a protracted political crisis due to power struggle between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), over control of the political structure of the state.
Speaking on Wednesday shortly after his swearing-in, Ibas said Tinubu has spelt out his assignment in Rivers.
“First of all, I think we know the circumstances that led to where we are here,” he said.
“Mr. President made it very clear in his broadcast that the main issue is maintaining law and order in the state.
“I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers state, the utmost task is that I will have to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order and security and stability to the people and government of Rivers state and Nigeria at large.”
Meanwhile, the senate has postponed a decision on approving the declaration of a state of emergency in the state until Thursday, after a rowdy session in the
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has refuted reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State urging the media and the public to disregard the report.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
The company clarified that what occurred was a flare incident, which has since been fully contained.
“There is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities,
or the environment,” the statement said.
NNPC Ltd, in the statement urged the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, maintaining that they are entirely false.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the rumoured explosion at the Port Harcourt Refinery was fueled by the explosion that rocked a major oil pipeline, the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), at Bodo, Gokana local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
Hours after, another explosion occurred at an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state, sending concerns about likely militant attack on oil facilities in the height of political development in the state
A group, Action Collective, has raised the alarm over what it called a desperate plan to compile fictitious names of constituents in Kogi Central senatorial district of Kogi State purportedly seeking for the recall of the lawmaker representing the zone in the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Kogi Central-based pressure group, which made the revelation public on Wednesday, said it uncovered the alleged plan.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is presently serving a six-month suspension slammed on her over alleged misconduct and disregard for Senate rules.
Prior to the Senate suspension, the Kogi Central Senator had also accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment and frustration of her legislative efforts to represent her constituents.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, signed by its coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the group said intelligence also revealed that allies of those fighting Senator Natasha in the Nigerian Senate were behind the plot to carry the fake recall exercise.
According to the group, findings revealed that the latest move was considered by Senator Natasha’s traducers as ‘nailing the coffin’ to prevent her from seeking justice which she is currently pursuing both in Nigeria and from the international community.
“We gathered reliably that a former governor in Kogi state has been contacted to carry out this evil plan. We also have an information that some ally INEC staff have also been recruited to commence the recall of Senator Natasha.
“This project which is said to gulped over two million dollars, will involve the recruitment of faceless persons from the various local government areas in Kogi State who would be paid to append false signatures on the purported recall paper,” the group alleged.
The statement also alleged that some highly placed staff of INEC have been paid huge sums of money to carry out and endorse the plan, adding, “that is why it is important to alert the public especially the civil society and Human Rights Activists including the Media, who are the watchdog of the society as well as the security agencies to remain vigilant and subject such documents regarding the planned recall to proper scrutining. A stitch in time saves nine!.”
The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, has condemned the President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and a direct assault on democracy.
In a joint statement signed by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC president Comrade Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, the Labour Centres criticised the action, stating that it blatantly violates part II, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermined the principles of democratic governance.
The two labour leaders warned that such actions erode constitutional governance and create instability, adding that no democratic society can thrive when elected officials are removed arbitrarily.
Both NLC and TUC demanded that President Tinubu immediately revoke the state of emergency in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining such measures.
They cautioned that the decision could have far-reaching consequences, including undermining national security, economic stability, and Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Apart from the political implications highlighted by the labour centres, the two congresses also warned that the declaration would have severe socio-economic consequences for workers and businesses in Rivers State.
The statement read in parts, “The purported suspension or removal of the governor , deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly is not only unlawful but a direct assault on democracy.
“It sets a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional governance and threatening the autonomy of subnational governments.
“No democratic society can thrive where elected leaders are arbitrarily removed at the whims of the President. This reckless move should deeply concern every reasonable governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law.
“We, therefore, call on Mr. President to revoke this unconstitutional declaration in compliance with Section 305(6) of the Constitution, which clearly outlines the legal process for declaring and sustaining a state of emergency.
“The President, as the custodian of the nation’s executive powers, must exercise restraint, respect constitutional limits, and act in a manner that inspires national confidence rather than suspicion.
“The labour movement will not remain silent while the livelihoods of workers and the well-being of ordinary Nigerians are threatened by political machinations.
“Given his storied background in political struggle, we urge Mr. President not to betray his democratic credentials by engaging in actions reminiscent of military-era authoritarianism.”