Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of opposition leaders during an ongoing press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Atiku confirmed the coalition’s formation, saying, “Yes, this is the birth of the opposition coalition ahead of 2027.”
His announcement comes amid the political turmoil in Rivers State, following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state on Tuesday. The decision has sparked widespread condemnation among Nigerians.
FULL SPEECH:
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY CONCERNED LEADERS AND POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS ON THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE
Fellow Nigerians,
We, a coalition of national leaders and political stakeholders, have convened today to address the alarming and unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, along with the unlawful suspension of its Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly, is a direct assault on democracy.
This action is not only illegal but also a deliberate move to impose federal control over a duly elected state government. We strongly condemn this brazen subversion of constitutional governance and urge all Nigerians of good conscience to reject it.
The President’s Actions Violate the Constitution
1. Illegal Removal of a Governor and State Assembly
The Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President the authority to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly members. According to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), only the State House of Assembly can initiate impeachment proceedings. Presidential intervention in this process is unconstitutional.
2. Misuse of Section 305 on the State of Emergency
Section 305 allows for a state of emergency only in cases where public safety, national security, or Nigeria’s sovereignty is under threat. However, it does not empower the President to suspend elected officials or dismantle democratic institutions.
Furthermore, Section 305(1) states that any emergency proclamation must adhere to constitutional provisions—meaning it cannot override a Governor’s tenure or the removal process outlined in the Constitution.
3. Failure to Meet Constitutional Requirements
The conditions under Section 305(3) for declaring a state of emergency include:
War or external aggression
Breakdown of public order and safety
Natural disasters or any other grave emergency threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence
None of these conditions exist in Rivers State. There is no war, no widespread violence, and no justifiable cause for emergency rule.
4. Failure to Follow Due Process
Even if an emergency declaration were justified (which it is not), it would still require a two-thirds majority approval from the National Assembly—meaning at least 72 Senators and 240 House members must endorse it. Without this approval, the proclamation is null and void.
5. Ignoring Alternative Legal Solutions
If the issue was the dysfunction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the President could have encouraged the National Assembly to intervene under Section 11 of the Constitution. However, even under such intervention, the Governor and Deputy Governor cannot be removed except through constitutional means, as Section 11(4) clearly states.
A Manufactured Crisis for Political Control
This declaration is not about security—it is about power. The crisis in Rivers State stems from the defection of 27 Assembly members from PDP to APC, their subsequent loss of seats, and political manoeuvring aimed at undermining the Governor’s mandate.
Instead of allowing legal and democratic processes to resolve the situation, the federal government has orchestrated this crisis to justify unconstitutional actions. The excuse of pipeline vandalism—a security issue under federal jurisdiction—is nothing but a smokescreen. If security is truly the concern, we must ask: Who controls the police, military, and DSS—the Governor or the President?
Our Demands and Call to Action
1. Immediate Reversal
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must immediately revoke this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly in Rivers State.
2. National Assembly’s Rejection
We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to reject this illegal action when it comes before them. The National Assembly must not be complicit in legitimizing a constitutional breach.
3. Judicial Intervention
We urge the judiciary to act swiftly in striking down this unconstitutional proclamation before it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to arbitrarily remove any Governor in the future.
4. Defending Democracy
We call on civil society organizations, political groups, and Nigerians of goodwill to resist this blatant assault on democracy. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship. We cannot allow an elected Governor to be replaced by a military administrator.
Conclusion
The stability of the Niger Delta is critical to Nigeria’s economic and national security. The federal government must not create political crises that threaten this fragile balance.
Democracy must not be sacrificed for personal or political gain. This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
We thank you all.
Thursday, 20th March, 2025
