On Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) issued a statement asserting that the President lacks the constitutional authority to remove an elected governor during a state of emergency. The NBA called on the National Assembly to reject any unconstitutional attempt to approve the removal of the Rivers State Governor or other elected officials. “Such an action would be an unconstitutional infringement on democratic governance and the autonomy of state governments,” he stated.
The association also emphasized the need for all actions in Rivers State to strictly adhere to constitutional provisions and Nigeria’s democratic norms. It urged all stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and the international community, to closely monitor the situation in Rivers to prevent any unconstitutional governance and abuse of power. “The declaration of a state of emergency must be grounded in strict constitutional principles, not political convenience.”
The NBA cautioned that suspending elected officials under emergency rule would set a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining democracy and opening the door for the abuse of power to unseat duly elected governments in the future.