The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has called on the National Assembly to review President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that the move may constitute an impeachable offense.
In a statement on Wednesday, PRP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, condemned the President’s decision as unconstitutional, arguing that it undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and violates the 1999 Constitution.
The party criticized Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, calling it an abuse of executive power that must not go unchallenged. PRP demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended officials and urged lawmakers to investigate whether Tinubu’s actions warrant impeachment proceedings.
PRP cited Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared. The party argued that these provisions do not give the President the authority to unilaterally remove elected state officials.
“The President’s actions reflect a dangerous and unconstitutional overreach of executive power,” the statement read. “The issues in Rivers State are political and should be resolved through established constitutional mechanisms such as the judiciary, not executive fiat.”
The party further warned that allowing a President to remove elected officials under emergency powers could set a dangerous precedent for future abuses.
PRP urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review of Tinubu’s decision and take action to nullify the suspension of Rivers State’s leadership.
“A serious review of the President’s declaration of a state of emergency is necessary to determine whether his actions amount to an impeachable offense. If so, proceedings should commence accordingly,” the party stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democracy, PRP called on civil society organizations and the international community to condemn what it described as “executive overreach” and to advocate for the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.
This development adds to the growing political tensions surrounding the state of emergency, as stakeholders debate the legality and implications of the President’s decision.
