Nigeria is not as safe as it should be. Today, we are witnessing indications that the country is heading towards dictatorship — a trend whereby one person or a few people possess all the authority. This does not exist merely in the mind of individuals. It is turning into a reality.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seems to be overreaching the powers the Nigerian Constitution grants him. He has reportedly declared Rivers State under a state of emergency and is seeking to impose a leader of his choice, ignoring the people-elected governor. Such an action is dangerous and undemocratic.
This is not a decision intended to advance development or peace. It’s about asserting power. When the president starts installing elected state governors with people whom he prefers, it erodes the entire theory of democracy. It signifies elections do not matter. If we allow this to happen, then voting is for nothing, and rulers will be decided by violence, not people.
The Rivers State issue is not new. It’s a political fallout that began between the now-suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the former governor, Nyesom Wike, currently serving as a minister in the administration of President Tinubu. It’s an issue that needed to be amicably resolved within the state. But the President dived in with his co-politician and made an entry into the problem in a form not authorized by the Constitution.
Let us be clear, the Nigerian Constitution does not authorize the President to remove a sitting governor by issuing a state of emergency.
Section 188 (1–9) says that only the state House of Assembly, two-thirds majority, can impeach a governor.
Section 305 (1–6) lays down when a state of emergency can be proclaimed — for example, in war, natural disaster, or serious disorder — but even then, it does not authorize the President to remove a governor.
Section 11 (4–5) also explains that only the National Assembly can act if a state assembly is unable to function — not even the President by himself.
What the President is trying to do is very dangerous. If it starts in Rivers today, tomorrow it can be in Kano, Enugu, or any other state. That is how democracy slowly dies — not abruptly, but piecemeal. When people can no longer freely choose their leaders, then there is no more democracy.
This has nothing to do with law. This is also about justice and the future of Nigeria. Many of us Nigerians suffered and fought for our democracy. It must not be jeopardized by some people in power.
It is time to make some noise silently. All Nigerians — lawyers, activists, politicians, and citizens alike — must say something and defend the Constitution. If we keep silent about this overreach, there will be no limit to what those in power can do. Today it’s Rivers State; tomorrow it will be your state.
Keeping quiet is conniving at what happens. Unless we move now, one day we will wake up and realize we no longer have a say in who governs us.
Democracy is tested in Nigeria. We need to make a decision — do we fight for our right to vote and choose our leaders or allow a few people to take that away from us?
ThankGod writes from Bauchi
