NASS failed Nigerians for approving state of emergency in Rivers – N/Delta group

The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) has stated that the current Nigerian National Assembly has failed Nigerians due to its inability to correct President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the issue of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the National President/CEO Chief Diplomat of […]

The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) has stated that the current Nigerian National Assembly has failed Nigerians due to its inability to correct President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the issue of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the National President/CEO Chief Diplomat of ND-PYLF, Amb. Adam Marbo, said the fundamental fact that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria buNithe implications of this state of emergency, if not addressed, could be far-reaching.

“For instance, a northern president might have an interest in any of the Niger Delta oil-producing states, instigate a minor crisis, and declare a state of emergency in that particular state, appointing a sole administrator from states like Sokoto or Kano to manage its affairs.”

He said the power to declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the constitution is not absolute as the president is not the employer of the governor or deputy governor of Rivers State, nor members of the State House of Assembly.

“The power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria, or even across the entire country, must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and must not be exercised in flagrant violation of the same Constitution. This clearly shows that Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, the current Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice of Nigeria, has failed in his duties and responsibilities to advise President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the proper interpretation of the Nigerian Constitution regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.”

He added that the issues raised by the president indicated he was “systematically misinformed by some individuals within Aso Villa for their personal gains.”

“This is a political disagreement between the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyeson Wike, and Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara that requires a political solution. Had some of us been in the Presidential Villa with Mr. President, we could have advised him, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to set up an independent Presidential Reconciliation and Peace Committee to intervene between and the 27 Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, instead of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.”