South-South governors urge Tinubu to lift emergency rule in Rivers

 CHANNELS

The South-South Governors’ Forum has expressed concern over the recent declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of two democratic institutions, calling for a reconsideration of the decision.

President Bola Tinubu made the declaration on Tuesday owing to the political crisis in Rivers State.

But in a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the Forum acknowledged the President’s constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order across the country. However, it questioned whether the situation in Rivers State meets the constitutional threshold for such a declaration.

Citing Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the governors noted that a state of emergency should only be declared under extreme circumstances, such as war, external aggression, an imminent invasion, or a severe breakdown of public order…