• Nigerians in Diaspora
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• Rivers Crisis
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NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA REJECT EMERGENCY RULE IN RIVERS, THREATEN PROTEST

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  CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
• 0
• 2 min read

The Nigerians in Diaspora Association (NDA-USA) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a “war against Nigerians and the international community.” The association rejected the emergency rule, which suspended the Rivers State Governor, his deputy, and all elected State Assembly Members, and appointed a sole administrator to rule the state for six months. According to a press statement co-signed by its President Comrade Martins Tayo and Dr Benson Obinna, the move is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law. “Let it be noted categorically that, the declaration of the state of emergency is not a better alternative given its potential for the abuse of power, and its negation of the principles of democracy,” the statement said. The group expressed concerns that the federal government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), is using the emergency rule as a pretext to enhance its power, expand its agenda, and shift the balance of power away from the legislative and judicial branches of government in Rivers State. They warned that the emergency rule could lead to a deterioration in the protection of democracy, citing examples of countries that have turned emergency rule into an avenue for long-lasting dictatorship. The association demanded that the president reverse his decision immediately, restore the governor and his deputy to office, and reinstate the State House of Assembly. They also called for the sole administrator to hand over power to the democratically elected administration. The Nigerians in Diaspora Association vowed to take further actions, including protests across major foreign cities in the US, to force their demands, emphasizing their commitment to defending democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria. This is not the first time Nigerians in the diaspora have organized protests, as similar events took place in December 2024.