The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the reversal of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by the forum’s chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the governors expressed their concerns about the political situation in Rivers and proposed that the state of emergency be rescinded to reduce tensions and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.
The forum emphasized the importance of dialogue as a way forward, urging all parties involved to remain calm and uphold peace, in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria. The statement also highlighted that while the president has the constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order, the situation in Rivers State does not meet the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as stipulated in Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.
This section outlines specific conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared, such as war, external aggression, imminent invasion, breakdown of public order, or existential threats to Nigeria. The governors argue that the political crisis in Rivers does not meet these conditions, and that the matter should ideally be addressed through legal and constitutional means rather than an executive order.
The forum also pointed out that the Constitution provides procedures for the removal of a governor and deputy governor, as well as members of the House of Assembly, which should have been considered before the state of emergency was declared.
The South-South Governors’ Forum’s statement calls for dialogue to resolve the issues in Rivers State, urging a peaceful and constitutional resolution to the political crisis.