The Nigerians in Diaspora Association (NDA-USA) has issued a scathing condemnation of General Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it a “war against Nigerians and the international community.”
The group outright rejected the emergency rule, which suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected State Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator for six months.
In a press statement co-signed by NDA-USA President Comrade Martins Tayo and Dr. Benson Obinna, the association denounced the move as a flagrant violation of democratic principles and the rule of law. They argued that declaring a state of emergency was an unacceptable alternative, given its potential to enable power abuse and undermine democracy. Instead, the group urged General Tinubu to rely on existing laws and governmental powers to address the situation in Rivers State without resorting to such drastic measures.
The NDA-USA expressed alarm that the federal government, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), is using the emergency rule as a pretext to consolidate power, advance its political agenda, and weaken the legislative and judicial branches in Rivers State. They warned that this action risks eroding democratic protections, drawing parallels to nations where emergency rules have paved the way for prolonged authoritarian regimes.
The association called for immediate action, demanding that General Tinubu reverse the emergency declaration, reinstate the governor, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, and order the sole administrator to step down and return power to the democratically elected leadership. “The declaration of a state of emergency is not a better alternative given its potential for the abuse of power and its negation of democratic principles,” the statement read. “A better choice would have been the use of ordinary legislation or, at worst, the doctrine of necessity, which would have shown a commitment to demilitarizing democracy rather than encouraging its erosion.”
The NDA-USA emphasized that while the crisis in Rivers State required resolution, the federal government’s response should have prioritized legal certainty, transparency, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt to criticism. They criticized the government’s delayed and inconsistent reaction, arguing that swift and decisive action rooted in good governance could have set a positive precedent. “The speed of the reaction determines the outcome,” the statement noted. “Denial or reluctance to act swiftly is seen as underaction and has brought a high cost to democracy and civil governance in the country.”
In response to General Tinubu’s actions, the NDA-USA vowed to escalate their efforts, threatening protests across major cities in the United States to press their demands. The group underscored their unwavering commitment to defending democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, stating, “We shall be compelled to take further actions in compliance with our demands.” Nigerians in the diaspora and their allies now await the government’s response as tensions continue to rise over the future of governance in Rivers State.
