By SkyDNews

The escalating political and legal crisis in Rivers State has reached a critical stage, raising serious concerns about the stability of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the rule of law. In a press release obtained by SkyDNews, over 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) have called on the Federal Government to uphold constitutional principles as the only legitimate path to restoring peace and governance in the state. The CSOs warn that failure to address the crisis through lawful means could undermine Nigeria’s democracy and set a dangerous precedent for future political conflicts. They urge all stakeholders, including policymakers, citizens, and the media, to remain vigilant and demand a resolution that respects constitutional order and democratic values.

Background of the Crisis Rivers State has been gripped by deep political tensions following a rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The crisis escalated when 27 lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023. This defection sparked a series of legal battles, culminating in a controversial Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which upheld the legitimacy of the defected lawmakers and directed Governor Fubara to re-present the 2025 budget to them. The situation worsened on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly for six months. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as Sole Administrator, sparking widespread constitutional concerns. Reports of military deployments and violent clashes at local government secretariats have further fueled tensions, while legal battles challenging these actions continue to unfold. Key Constitutional and Legal Concerns

1. Unlawful Defection of Lawmakers

The CSOs emphasize that Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that legislators who defect without a significant division in their party must vacate their seats. The Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Hon. Ifedayo Sunday Abegunde v. Ondo State House of Assembly reinforced this principle. However, the February 2025 Supreme Court ruling appears inconsistent with this precedent, raising concerns about judicial impartiality.

2. Constitutionality of the State of Emergency

The CSOs argue that Section 305 of the Constitution only permits a state of emergency under extreme circumstances, such as war or a total breakdown of law and order. The approval of the emergency by the National Assembly through a voice vote, rather than a recorded two-thirds majority, further casts doubt on its legitimacy. The suspension of elected officials and the appointment of a sole administrator, they argue, undermine democracy and state autonomy.

3. Integrity of the Judiciary

The judiciary’s handling of the crisis has been marred by conflicting rulings, fueling accusations of political interference. The CSOs stress that judicial credibility is at stake and urge the judiciary to uphold the constitution without bias.   Proposed Solutions To restore constitutional order and prevent further escalation, the CSOs propose the following measures:

1. Judicial Review – The Supreme Court should reconsider its February 2025 ruling through a full seven-member panel to align with the Abegunde Defected lawmakers should vacate their seats, triggering by-elections overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
2. Reversal of the State of Emergency – The federal government should immediately lift the emergency rule unless it meets constitutional requirements. Governor Fubara and the duly elected Assembly should be reinstated while legal disputes are resolved through due process. Security forces should be withdrawn to restore calm.
3. Political Dialogue – A mediation panel, including elder statesmen, legal experts, and civil society leaders, should facilitate negotiations between Governor Fubara, Wike, and their allies to find a democratic resolution.
4. Judicial Independence – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, should establish a judicial panel to investigate allegations of bias in the handling of the crisis.
5. Public Engagement – Citizens and the media must continue to scrutinize actions taken by political actors, ensuring that constitutional democracy is upheld.

Conclusion According to the press release received by SkyDNews, the Rivers State crisis is a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The CSOs warn that failure to resolve the impasse constitutionally could set a dangerous precedent for future political conflicts. They call on all stakeholders - from the Presidency to the grassroots - to act patriotically and decisively to protect Nigeria’s democracy. The CSOs concluded their statement with the following signatories:

1. Accord for Community Development (ACD)
2. Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
3. Advocates for Peace, Nature and Gender Justice (APNAG)
4. Agape Foundation for Literacy and Rural Development (AFLRD)
5. Agnemark Initiative for Environmental Sustainability and Social Development.
6. Alheri Peace Building and Empowerment Foundation (APBEF)
7. Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative
8. ApiriHallowed Foundation (AHF)
9. Association for Public Health Education and Legal Research Documentation in Nigeria (APHELRDiN)
10. Azuka and Ify Ubani Foundation
11. Begonia Flora Education and Communication Initiative
12. Biakwan Light Green Initiative (BLGI)
13. Care Trust Development Initiative, CATRUDEVI.
14. Career Counseling for African Women and Youth Development Initiative in Nigeria (CACAWYDYIN)
15. Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI)
16. Cedars for Human Welfare Initiative (CEHUWEI)
17. Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGa)
18. Center for Peace Education and Community Development
19. Centre for Citizens’ Rights
20. Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD)
21. Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
22. Child Health Organisation (CHO)
23. Citizen Community Aid and Development Initiative
24. Community Partners for Development (CPD)
25. Community Resilience Accountability Tracking Empowerment Initiative (CReATE-i)
26. Connecting Villages for Sustainable Development Initiative
27. DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development
28. Disability Law Advocacy Project (DLAP)
29. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation
30. Egbema Clean and Green Initiative (ECGI)
31. Eje Ajuaga Foundation
32. Elixir Trust Foundation
33. Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation
34. Eminent Empowerment and Inclusion Network (EMINET)
35. Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (EE Centre)
36. Engage Diaspora Foundation (EDF)
37. Equity Sustainable Development Initiative (ESDI)
38. Exquisite Youth Empowerment Initiative
39. Eziodu Initiative for Sustainable Environment (EISED)
40. Faduk Care Foundation
41. Feminist Womanifesto
42. Flourishing Peoples’ Empowerment Initiative (FPEI)
43. Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI)
44. Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD)
45. Foundation for Livelihood Advancement
46. Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC)
47. GlowingStar Empowerment Initiative and Development
48. Goodwash Foundation for Health and Environmental Protection
49. Grassroots Development and Empowerment (GRADE) Initiative
50. Health Standard Concern Organisation (HESCO)
51. Hedge Empowerment Foundation (HEF)
52. Hegde Empowerment Foundation
53. Help Me to Succeed Foundation (HMTSF)
54. Helps For All International Foundation 93.
55. Initiative for Community and Human Development (ICHD).
56. Initiative for Social Development in Africa (ISODAF)
57. Inspired Generation Leadership Initiative
58. International Centre for Women Empowerment and Child Development (ICWECD)
59. International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC)
60. Isaac and Patience Olugbuo Foundation
61. Isana Centre for Information and Substance Abuse Treatment (ICISAT)
62. Joy Oji Foundation for Hope and Development (JOFFHAD)
63. Keep Hope Alive Community Development Initiative
64. Kingdom Leaders Foundation
65. Kollabrative Development Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (KODE-E)
66. Koslivia Development Initiative (KODI)
67. Legacy Care Spectrum Foundation
68. Marusen Foundation
69. Masammy Help Ministry
70. Mawuwadoka Children Foundation (MCF)
71. Mentoring Individual’s Dream (MiND) Initiative
72. Mother of Faith Foundation (MOFF)
73. Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development
74. Murmushi People's Development Foundation.
75. Nde Oduko Foundation
76. Network of Universities Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI) Nigeria
77. Next Generation Youth Initiative International (NeGYII)
78. One Mind Friends Empowerment Foundation
79. Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development
80. Peace Education and Practice Network (PEPNET)
81. Praxis Academy Abuja
82. Regale Initiative for Community Health and Social Development (RICH-SD)
83. Rivers Indigenous NGOs & Civil Society Network (RINGOCS)
84. Rosana Empowerment Foundation (REF)
85. Rosyetta Community Support Foundation
86. Safe Community Initiative (SCI)
87. Save The Ozone, Nigeria
88. Saving Hand Development Initiative (SHADE-IN)
89. Show Care Foundation (SCF)
90. Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI)
91. Stellar Community Impact Development Initiative (S-CIDI)
92. Stop The Girl Child Discrimination Foundation
93. Strength for the Weak Empowerment Initiative, Nigeria
94. Sulhu Development Initiatives (SDI)
95. The Eagle Eye Behavioural Reorientation Initiative (TEEBRI)
96. The Havids Centre for Environment and Development
97. The Inclusion Project (TIP)
98. Treasure Builder Foundation
99. Trees on Earth Development Foundation
100. Trios Human Development Foundation
101. Triple Justice Foundation
102. Upline Centre for Development (UCD)
103. Wave Foundation
104. White Dolphin Foundation (WDF)
105. White Dolphins Foundation (WDF)
106. Women and Girls with Albinism Network
107. Women and Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative
108. Women Inspiration Development Center (WIDC)
109. Women of Inestimable Values Foundation
110. YARA Care Mission (YCM)
111. Yobe Youth Initiative and Community Development (YOYICOD)

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