The Peoples Democratic Party has raised serious concerns over the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Rivers State emergency, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy and federal system.
In a 6-1 split decision, the Supreme Court struck out a suit filed by the Attorney-General of Adamawa State challenging President Bola Tinubu’s power to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The suit, SC/CV/329/2025, sought to question whether the President could suspend elected officials—including the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly—under emergency powers.
Although the Court dismissed the case for lack of a cause of action, its comments have been widely interpreted as upholding the President’s actions earlier this year.
Reacting to the judgment, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, expressed concern that the ruling could be misused to expand federal emergency powers at the expense of state autonomy.
“Only a State House of Assembly or a court of law has the authority to remove a Governor during a constitutional term,” Ememobong said, cautioning that broad interpretations could allow the President to suspend state governments or institutions under the guise of maintaining peace and security.
The party warned that such a precedent risks forcing state governments to align politically with the ruling party and could undermine Nigeria’s hard-won democratic gains.
PDP further argued that, in the future, emergency powers could even be used to justify interference with other constitutional institutions, including the judiciary.
Calling for urgent action, the PDP urged the National Assembly to legislate clear limits on presidential emergency powers and appealed to Nigerians, civil society, the media, and the international democratic community to remain vigilant in defending federalism and the sanctity of electoral mandates.
Ememobong concluded by emphasizing the need for the Supreme Court to clarify the constitutional boundaries of emergency powers to prevent abuse, safeguard democracy, and maintain the stability of Nigeria’s federation.
