SDP Nat’l Youth Leader, Ogbonna Condemns Emergency Rule in Rivers, Says Removal of Governor Illegal and Unconstitutional
The National Youth Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Uchechukwu Ogbonna, has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the removal of Rivers State elected officials, describing it as an illegal coup against the people and a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, signed by himself, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) National Youth Leader denounced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly as unconstitutional.
The SDP National Youth Leader, Dr Uchechukwu Ogbonna, accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government of violating Sections 188 and 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outline the legal process for removing elected officials.
According to Dr Uchechukwu, the conditions necessary for declaring a state of emergency—such as war, invasion, or a total breakdown of public order—do not exist in Rivers State.
The Main Opposition National Youth Leader further argued that “this desperate and undemocratic manoeuvre to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is an outright assault on the rule of law and a vile attempt to crush the will of the people.”
“Let me be very clear: The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Section 305, grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency only under clearly defined, extreme circumstances, including war or external aggression, imminent danger of invasion or war,” he stated.
“A total breakdown of public order and safety beyond ordinary legal measures. A clear danger to Nigeria’s existence. Disaster or natural calamity affecting a state. Any other severe public danger threatening the Federation,” he said.
“What the President Tinubu-led Federal Government has done is nothing but a coup against the people of Rivers State. This unlawful suspension of a democratically elected government is a blatant violation of Sections 188 and 305 of the Constitution, which outline the procedures for removing elected officials. It is a brutal attempt to silence the voices of Rivers people and seize control of a state under false pretences.”
The Main Opposition National Youth Leader therefore makes the following demands without apology or compromise:
1.Immediate revocation of the illegal state of emergency and full reinstatement of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
2.Condemnation from the international community, demanding Nigeria’s government respect the rule of law and democratic principles.
“We will not stand by while our democracy is desecrated by power-hungry politicians,” he declared.
According to him, the opposition youths will not accept the illegal suspension of elected officials under the fraudulent guise of an ‘emergency’.
“This disgraceful attack on the people’s mandate is a call to action for all true patriots of Nigeria. The opposition youths will continue to speak, mobilise, and resist until this injustice is overturned. We call on the good people of Rivers State, civil society groups, human rights activists, and all freedom-loving Nigerians to rise and defend our democracy. We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. Democracy must prevail!” he said.
