Politics
Rivers State Under Siege: A Dangerous Precedent for Nigeria’s Democracy
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature have been suspended for six months.
This is not just an overreach of power. It is a direct attack on democracy.
The excuse? Political tensions and pipeline vandalism.
But this move raises serious questions.
Who decides when a governor should be removed?
What happens to the people’s votes?
If this is allowed, no state in Nigeria is safe from a presidential takeover.
Democracy on the Brink
Democracy is built on laws, not whims.
Elections give power to the people, not the president.
By suspending elected leaders, the federal government has ignored the Constitution.
If this stands, any governor could be removed at any time.
Today, it is Rivers State.
Tomorrow, it could be anywhere.
This is not just about one governor.
It is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
A Weak Justification
The government claims security concerns led to this action.
But Nigeria has seen worse.
Boko Haram has terrorized the Northeast.
Bandits run wild in the Northwest.
Yet, no governor there was removed.
Why Rivers State? Why now?
If security was the real issue, the government could have sent reinforcements.
It could have worked with state leaders.
Instead, it chose to seize control.
This suggests political motives, not security concerns.
The Dangerous Cost
- Democracy is at risk: Removing elected leaders without due process weakens our constitution.
- Political and economic chaos: Rivers State is an economic hub. Uncertainty will scare investors and hurt development.
- A dangerous precedent: If this is accepted, any future president can remove governors at will.
The Way Forward
- This must not stand.
- Governor Fubara and his administration must be reinstated.
- The government should resolve conflicts through dialogue, not force.
- The courts and civil society must act now.
- If they don’t, this will happen again.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Nigeria is watching.
Do we defend democracy or allow power to go unchecked?
Rivers State voted for its leaders.
The people’s voice must matter.
If we stay silent, another state will be next.
This is the time to act.
Democracy must be protected—not in words, but in action.
The suspension of Rivers State’s government must end now.
For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook
Continue Reading
