The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, as a democratic coup against elected representatives of the Rivers people.
CUPP after an emergency meeting, said it will challenge Tinubu’s action in court, asserting that nothing warranted the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the deputy governor.
Condemning the suspension of Gov. Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly members, CUPP declared that the president’s action is a blatant violation of the 1999 Constitution, and an abuse of power.
A statement jointly signed by CUPP leaders High Chief Peter Ameh, Rep. Ikenga Imo- Ugochinyere and Comrade Mark Adebayo, described the suspension as unacceptable and a democratic coup against the Rivers people in favour of dark ambition of greedy desperados.
The coalition recalled that when ex-President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in May 2013, he rejected the illegal advice of some power mongers to remove the elected governors and dissolve other democratic structures in the affected states.
Citing some constitutional provisions, the coalition stated that state governments do not answer to the federal government as they are separate, and the president only has authority over federal employees.
The coalition warned that allowing this unlawful suspension sets a precedent for a dictatorship masked as democracy, adding that usurping National Assembly powers to take over powers of a state House of Assembly and giving it to the Federal Executive Council is a coup against democracy.
“The suspension of a sitting governor under the guise of a state of emergency is an illegal and unconstitutional act, amounting to a coup against democracy. This move serves the dark ambitions of desperate political actors and undermines the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
“Since the Supreme Court ruling, Gov. Fubara has tried to act right but these guys the local political blackmailers and propagandists, keep suffering Rivers State.
“The governor compiled and presented the budget, and they ran away from receiving him meaning their interest is not the budget but to ensure the people of Rivers suffer and die from hunger.
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“The governor wrote another letter to them and they claimed to have gone on recess on Friday evening, and suddenly, the people who went on recess on Friday, woke up on Monday to claim they have commenced a purported impeachment, just to distract the slated budget presentation billed for this week.
“With this declaration, the federal government and its political allies have systematically undermined the peace in Rivers State. The recent pipeline explosion—likely a deliberate act by Abuja-backed elements—is a calculated attempt to justify emergency rule.
“This suspension is in violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution. The constitution expressly prohibits any forceful takeover of government outside democratic and constitutional processes.
“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has consistently ruled that the declaration of a state of emergency does not empower the president to remove elected officials,” CUPP said.
The coalition praised Gov. Fubara for maintaining peace despite the provocation by those working for Tinubu, urging him to remain strong and rally Rivers people to ensure that his constitutional powers are not taken away under any guise, including challenging this illegality at the Supreme Court.
