Northern elders forum condemns state of emergency in Rivers

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly criticized the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an abuse of power driven by personal interests rather than national security concerns.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the NEF expressed deep concern over the political crisis that led to the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly members for six months. The forum emphasized that while the Nigerian Constitution grants the President the authority to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, such a decision must be justified by specific conditions, none of which, they argued, were present in Rivers State.

“It is public knowledge that none of the conditions outlined in Section 305(3) of the Constitution—such as war, imminent invasion, or a breakdown of public order—occurred in Rivers State. Instead, this appears to be an act of political vendetta in alliance with the serving Federal Minister of the FCT and the immediate past Governor of Rivers State,” the statement read.

The forum warned that allowing political disputes to escalate for personal gains poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and national stability. It urged President Bola Tinubu to find a lasting and peaceful resolution to the crisis and immediately reinstate the suspended officials to uphold justice and democratic principles.

Furthermore, the NEF cautioned the federal government against allowing similar political tensions to spread to other states, citing the ongoing tussle over the Kano Emirate as an example of a potential flashpoint.

“The ability to resolve political disputes through dialogue, mediation, and legal means is a sign of democratic maturity. The reckless use of political power can only deepen the crises Nigeria is already facing,” the statement concluded.