Challenging the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has labeled President Bola Tinubu’s decision as “unconstitutional” and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA maintained that the President has no legal authority to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or state lawmakers under emergency rule.
“The 1999 Constitution does not empower the President to dismiss an elected governor, deputy governor, or state legislators under the guise of a state of emergency,” the statement asserted.
The NBA further stressed that the Constitution provides a clear process for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as outlined in Section 188.
