A coalition of approximately 30 civil society organizations has submitted a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Committee Secretary at 760 United Nations Plaza, Manhattan, New York, condemning the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State by General Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President.
The group, which convened in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, is urging the UN to impose sanctions on Nigeria if democratic governance is not immediately restored in the state.
The petition, led by convener Egondu Esinwoke and coordinator Courage Nsirimovu, calls on the UN to pressure President Tinubu to reinstate democratic order in Rivers State or face consequences for failing to uphold Nigeria’s democratic obligations. It also urges the UN to remind the president to operate within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution, which the coalition regards as the supreme law and the source of his authority.
Guided by core constitutional principles, the coalition’s petition provides a detailed account of the Rivers State crisis, heavily criticizing Nyesom Wike, the former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The group alleges that Wike admitted to using public funds to secure nomination forms for all elective office candidates from his party and has since sought to control every elected and appointed official who emerged through his influence. They claim that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s refusal to submit to Wike’s control sparked the crisis, leading to an impeachment attempt against Fubara in October 2023, just months into his tenure, despite no clear offenses being cited.
The coalition further alleges that 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, defected to the ruling party at Wike’s behest and pursued the governor’s removal. Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, the petitioners argue that such defections, absent a party division, result in an automatic loss of legislative seats—a position they say has been repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court. They accuse Wike of orchestrating the push for a state of emergency in Rivers State through these lawmakers, alongside efforts to manipulate courts and national electoral bodies to invalidate a local council election.
Despite this, the coalition notes that Governor Fubara has sought peace, accepting court rulings and reaching out to the reinstated lawmakers to collaborate for the public good—efforts allegedly thwarted by Wike’s allies to justify the emergency declaration. The petitioners strongly oppose the president’s actions, arguing that Section 305 of the Constitution, which governs states of emergency, does not permit the removal of a democratically elected governor. They assert that the proclamation requires a two-thirds majority approval from both the Senate and House of Representatives, a process they claim was bypassed when the president enforced it immediately, with the National Assembly affirming it through a questionable voice vote.
The coalition warns that the crisis has led to forced resignations and removals of Rivers State officials, heightening tension and uncertainty. They appeal to the UN to intervene, ensuring Nigeria adheres to democratic norms and respects the will of the people.
