The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
The Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, made this known via a statement on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
The PDP governors described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as unconstitutional.
They stated that it was illegal and unacceptable for the president to suspend democratically elected officials of a state.
The governors said: “The PDPGF has noted with concern the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers by the president. We state categorically that this is a threat to democracy.
“This is a premeditated attack on Rivers, the PDP and other opposition parties in the country. It is a great threat to democracy, and an ill wind that will blow no one any good.
“It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard earned democracy, but deepen crisis in the country.”
The PDP governor added that the president’s action would exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, and destroy the economy.
In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State as unconstitutional.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, said in a statement on Wednesday that the declaration of emergency rule remained an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits.
Osigwe stated: “The NBA affirms its commitment to upholding the constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria.
“The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
He urged Tinubu to reverse the declaration in the interest of democracy and the well-being of the people of Rivers State.
