The Greater Ogonis in Diaspora Organization ((GODO) has petitioned the United Nations, urging that President Bola Tinubu be declared persona non grata and banned from participating in any global activities until he restores democratic institutions in Rivers State.
The group also urged that sanctions should be imposed on Tinubu and his government, until the president respects democratic processes and the rule of law.
In a petition addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and signed by the leader of Greater Ogoni Diaspora Organization, Chief Ambrose Kii, the group called for an immediate investigation into the human rights violations committed by Tinubu and his appointees, and hold them accountable for their actions.
They further demanded an investigation of the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the Rivers State House of Assembly defections and for appropriate action to address the perceived bias and ensure the impartiality of the judiciary.
Other demands by the group, include technical assistance and support to the government of Rivers State to restore the democratic process and ensure the protection of human rights, review of the Supreme Court judgement, which has been widely condemned, and consider the evidence that was overlooked.
“We write to bring to your attention a pressing matter of grave concern regarding the egregious abuse of executive powers by President Bola Tinubu.
“The president’s actions have led to the truncation of governance in Rivers State, violating the constitutional provisions and undermining the democratic process.
“We strongly condemn President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This action is a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.
Read also: Constitutional lawyer backs Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers
Nigerian Senate approves emergency rule in Rivers State amid political crisis
South South governors call for revocation of emergency rule in Rivers
“The reasons cited by President Tinubu for this suspension are premature and unjustified. The security agencies have not yet completed their investigation into the pipeline explosion, and it is unclear whether the incident was caused by equipment failure, sabotage, or other factors.
“Blaming Governor Fubara, who does not employ or control the security agencies, demonstrates President Tinubu’s desperation to remove him from office through undemocratic means,” the petition copied to the International Court of Justice, US Ambassador to Nigeria, European Union, African Union, and ECOWAS. read in part.
The group described as alarming the refusal by Tinubu to hold his political appointees, led by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the 27 Rivers State lawmakers, accountable for their role in the crisis in Rivers State.
The group further accused Tinubu of a sinister motive of using the state of emergency to control the resources of the oil-rich Rivers State and hand them over to his party and loyalists ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We urge the United Nations Human Rights Commission to take immediate action to address this situation,” the group demanded.
