Opposition Party Condemns Ruling That Allows Suspension of Governors

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling that affirmed the president’s powers to declare a state of emergency and suspend elected officials across the country.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the party described the decision as a “dangerous democratic bend with far-reaching implications” for federalism and constitutional governance.

“While we respect the authority of the apex court and recognise its finality within our jurisdiction, we are nevertheless compelled to draw attention to the grave dangers that can emanate from the interpretation of this judgement on the political landscape of our country,” the statement read.

The PDP argued that the ruling undermines democracy by legitimizing the emergency rule declared in Rivers State, which saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly suspended for six months.

The case, marked SC/CV/329/2025, challenged the president’s authority to suspend democratically elected officials and institutions. The party maintained that such powers are not provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stressing that only a state assembly or a court of law can remove a governor from office.

According to the PDP, the judgment risks reversing democratic gains by making state governments subservient to the federal government, compelling them to align politically with the ruling party. “We cannot reconcile how, in a federation, an elected president can dismantle the democratic structures of a federating unit, sack elected officials, and appoint leaders there without consciously promoting authoritarianism and entrenching tyranny,” Ememobong stated.

The party urged the National Assembly to urgently introduce constitutional and legislative safeguards to clearly define and limit presidential emergency powers, warning that unchecked authority could lead to abuse and weaken Nigeria’s federal system.

President Bola Tinubu had imposed emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and the assembly, replacing them with a sole administrator. PDP governors challenged the legality of the move, arguing it violated constitutional provisions on the independence of state governments and assemblies.