The African Coalition for Democracy (ACD) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, describing it as a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law. According to the group, the move, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials, is a clear violation of the Constitution and an affront to the democratic process.

Dr Bathlomew Benjamin, who signed the statement, stated that the President’s action is a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Nigeria’s democratic system. “The suspension of Governor Fubara and other elected officials is a clear indication that the President and the National Assembly are more interested in consolidating power than in upholding democratic principles,” Benjamin said.

The ACD criticized the National Assembly for rubber-stamping the President’s decision without due consideration, abandoning their constitutional responsibility to check the excesses of the Executive. “According to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the President can declare a state of emergency, but this must be done in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, which requires the approval of the National Assembly,” the statement said.

The group demands that President Tinubu and the National Assembly respect the Constitution and the will of the people, upholding democratic principles and allowing the people of Rivers State to choose their own leaders. The ACD also calls on the international community to condemn this blatant disregard for democratic principles and to support the Nigerian people in their quest for democracy and good governance.

“We demand that President Tinubu and the National Assembly respect the Constitution and the will of the people. We demand that they uphold democratic principles and allow the people of Rivers State to choose their own leaders. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the Nigerian people,” the statement added.

The ACD further called on the international community to place Nigeria on a watch list for democratic backsliding and to consider imposing targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for undermining Nigeria’s democracy. “We urge the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and other international organizations to condemn President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the National Assembly’s rubber-stamping of this decision,” the statement concluded.