On Monday, the Institute of Law Research and Development (ILUDUN), based in the US, advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the State of Emergency he declared in Rivers State.
They warned that doing otherwise would harm his political legacy. Professor Cyprian Edward-Ekpo, director of ILAWDUN and professor of international environmental and public international law, signed the statement.
This was revealed on Monday, and it also warned that a decision like that would damage Nigeria’s democratic principles and endanger its constitutional integrity.
The statement highlighted that the occurrence of the twin events, the suspension of Fubara, his vice, and the legislators, and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, would leave a bad example on the country’s democracy for the future.
The institution also warned that if the Supreme Court decides to stand the the declared state of emergency, and the suspension of a legitimately elected governor and lawmakers by another elected official, it will leave a dent in President Tinubu’s legacy.
Also, he would be known in history as the president who sabotaged constitutional regulations and gave room for illegalities.
Professor Ekpo’s statement noted
“A state of emergency can only be justified when there is a genuine breakdown of law and order that overwhelms the Nigeria Police Force—conditions that were not present in Rivers State.”
The statement further argued that a state of emergency declared without a legal breach of law and order is not justified, nor is the suspension of a legitimately elected governor and his lawmakers by a sitting president.
The Institution called the twin acts “unconstitutional,” and noted that it would present President Tinubu as a no respecter of the Rule of Law.
The institution also observed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria is working on the case filed by seven governors from the opposition party, which challenged the legitimacy of the suspension. However, it further cautioned that any attempt to avoid a ruling on the case, perhaps by dismissing it on technical grounds, would further tarnish the confidence of the public in both the judiciary and question the president’s dedication to democratic principles.
Finally, he advised the president to take action quickly to reverse the suspension. The statement states that doing so would reaffirm his dedication to democratic principles, as any contrary action would jeopardise the future of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
This statement by the Institute of Law Research and Development is one of many from the desks and mouths of many Nigerians. All are addressed to President Tinubu, calling for the reversal of the State of Emergency in Rivers and retraction of the six months suspension meted out on Governor Fubara and his lawmakers, announced on the 18th of March
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