Abuja, Nigeria — The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticized the Federal Government over the state of emergency earlier imposed on Rivers State, describing it as a blatant violation of Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, CUPP’s National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, welcomed the termination of the emergency rule but strongly condemned its initial declaration, calling it “an egregious act of federal overreach.”
Ameh faulted the suspension of the elected Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, labeling it an “unconstitutional power grab” that undermined the mandate of the people.
“Democracy thrives on the will of the people and the independence of institutions, not through arbitrary suspensions or presidential proclamations,” Ameh said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s invocation of emergency powers on March 18, 2025—citing political disputes between Governor Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, along with isolated incidents of pipeline vandalism—did not meet the constitutional requirements under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the decision, made without a request from state officials, undermined state autonomy and set a “dangerous precedent” in Nigeria’s federal system.
CUPP further demanded transparency from the Presidency, urging it to publish the legal memo justifying the emergency, the financial costs incurred during the period, and a review of the rights violated.
The coalition also criticized the Supreme Court for refusing to hear the suit filed by PDP governors challenging the declaration, accusing the judiciary of failing to protect constitutional authority.
“By assuming unchecked authority, President Tinubu acted as a ‘Proclaimer General,’ threatening the democratic balance of our federation. The Supreme Court’s silence only emboldened this illegal act and exposed its complicity,” Ameh said.
CUPP warned that the six months lost from Governor Fubara’s tenure and the suspension of the assembly cannot be recovered, describing it as a violation of constitutional provisions on elected terms.
The group called on Nigerians—across political parties, civil society, and ordinary citizens—to reject what it termed a “dangerous precedent” and defend the country’s democracy.
“History will judge this episode as either a fleeting misstep or the beginning of a slide toward authoritarianism,” Ameh declared. “The government must recommit to constitutional governance and ensure such overreach is never repeated."