Opposition leaders in Abuja have strongly opposed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling on him to revoke the proclamation.
This comes after the House of Representatives approved Tinubu’s request, sparking heated reactions from key opposition figures.
At a press conference in Abuja, prominent leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, condemned the emergency rule. They also unveiled plans to form a coalition aimed at challenging President Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 elections.
Atiku Abubakar described the emergency rule as “unlawful,” stating, “All parties to the dispute ought to follow laid-down procedures and, in good faith, implement the judgment of the Supreme Court.”
While acknowledging that Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution allows the president to declare a state of emergency in extreme cases, Abubakar argued that the provision does not grant him the power to suspend elected officials.
He added, “Even if an emergency declaration was valid, it would still require a two-thirds majority approval of all members of the National Assembly.”
Peter Obi’s spokesperson, Tanko Yunusa, reiterated the coalition’s stance, stressing that the emergency rule was an overreach and undermined democratic processes.
Meanwhile, Nasir El-Rufai expressed hope that the National Assembly would reject the proclamation. “We trust that lawmakers will stand for the rule of law and reject this overreach,” he said.
The declaration has triggered intense debate, as the opposition rallies for legislative support to halt the emergency measure.