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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), has described as a coup against the people, President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
CHRICED Executive Director Ibrahim Zikirullahi, in a statement, yesterday, said the President Tinubu’s action constituted a blatant affront to the rights of the citizens of Rivers State, who have exercised their democratic right to elect their representatives.
According to him, “such a declaration poses a significant threat to the democratic governance in Nigeria and reflects both political and economic misjudgments that require immediate rectification.
“By instituting emergency rule in Rivers State, President Tinubu appears to endorse military coups, undermining his credibility to critique the military governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
“Subversion of the Nigerian Constitution
President Tinubu has brazenly contravened the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which he pledged to uphold, by suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Zikirullahi who cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution which grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency, noted that such power “does not authorize him to suspend an elected governor.
“Chapter 6, Part 2, Section 188 of the Constitution specifies a defined procedure for the removal of a governor or deputy governor, which necessitates an impeachment process by the State House of Assembly.
“This procedure requires a two-thirds majority vote, the participation of the Chief Judge of the state, and the formation of an investigative panel. Additionally, the governor is entitled to defend himself throughout the proceedings.”
In conclusion, he called on President Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim presidency to adhere to the Quranic injunction, which says “O ye who believe! Be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against your parents and kindred.
“Whether he, against whom witness is borne, be rich or poor, Allah is more regardful of them both than you are. Therefore, follow not your low desires that you may be able to act equitably. And if you hide the truth or evade it, then know that Allah is Well-Aware of what you do. (Quran 4. 136).”
