CSOs petition UN over Tinubu’s emergency declaration in Rivers
By Jeffrey Agbo
Concerned Civil Society Organizations, a network of organisations advocating for the political and economic welfare of the people of Rivers State in particular and Nigeria at large, has petitioned the United Nations asking it to intervene in the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
Signed by the convener, Egondu Esinwoke, and the coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, the petition dated March 26 was made available to TheNiche on Thursday. It was titled “Petition against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly of Nigeria for the crass usurpation of democratic structures In Rivers State and ostentatious desecration of the Nigerian Constitution contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
The CSOs argued that the suspension of a democratically elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, and suspension of elected lawmakers for six months by President Tinubu was unconstitutional.
They also faulted FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, whom they said colluded with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to cause chaos in the state.
“With their plots falling like pack of cards, the FCT Minister resorted to using the President, Mr. Bola Tinubu to oust the Governor of Rivers State. Although the President does not have any such powers under a democracy and the Nigerian Constitution, but the Nigerian President in course of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, March 18, 2025, suspended the Executive Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Legislative Arm of the Rivers State Government, thus usurping democratic structures and foisting on the people a military regime in contravention of the Nigerian constitution; a decision that has attracted public indignation. The President, acting ultra vires his powers appointed a Sole Administrator – Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas (Rtd) to take over governance of the oil-rich Niger Delta State,” the petition read.
“Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency does not envisage in any way, the removal of a democratically elected Governor. The same S. 305 is clear, that the proclamation only takes effect when 2/3 majority of the National Assembly-SENATE and House of Representative affirms same. However, the President insisted it takes effect immediately in flagrant disregard of the Nigerian Constitution. Furthermore, the compromised SENATE and House of Representatives used a voice vote to affirm the illegality.”
The CSOs noted that today, freedom of expression and the press is threatened; the right to peaceful assembly has eroded and the people cannot speak out or protest because the military has warned against any form of procession against the president’s action.
READ MORE: Rivers Sole Administrator suspends political appointees
They asked the Secretary of Human Rights Committee at the United Nations to: “Prevail on the President of Nigeria to restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
“Place sanctions on Nigeria for defaulting in her obligation to promote democracy and democratic institutions within her territory.
“Advise the President to limit his actions within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the ultimate law and from whence he derives his powers and authority.”
They also wrote to the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, asking her to “visit Nigeria immediately and investigate the weaponization of the judiciary for selfish political and economic interest by the FCT minister and the President of Nigeria.”
The petitions were signed by Rivers Indigenous NGOs and Civil Society Network (RINGOCS); Peace Building Manager, Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Entrepreneurial Development (ISPED); PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative; Centre for Rural Integration and Development; The Brooks Foundation; Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace and Development (CIEPD), African Potential Developers Initiative; and Ibom PEER Foundation.
Others are My Effort Network; Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development; Civil Liberties Organization – South South Zone; Anpez Centre for Environment and Development; Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) – Rivers State Chapter; Community Conciliation and Development Initiative; Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria; LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative; Pius Dukor Foundation for Community Development & Advancement; Lawyers Alert; Vision Athletics Foundation; Changinglive Centre for Community Development; Support Initiative for Sustainable Development (SISDEV).
The rest are Havids Centre for Environment & Development; Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction; Sustainable Actions for Nature; and Usanka Educational Foundation.
