The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling it unconstitutional. The NBA demands Fubara’s reinstatement, rejecting the appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State. Legal experts warn that the move undermines democracy, urging a political resolution to the crisis.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly urged President Bola Tinubu to reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, condemning his removal as unconstitutional.
The controversy began after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating political tensions. The move led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly, sparking nationwide debates on its legality. In their place, the President appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator, a decision the NBA insists has no constitutional backing.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, NBA President Afam Osigwe reaffirmed the association’s position. He stated that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize the appointment of a Sole Administrator, making the federal government’s intervention unlawful.
He further criticized the President’s emergency measures, arguing that they were excessive, undemocratic, and legally flawed. Comparing the response to using a sledgehammer to fix a minor issue, he warned that such drastic steps could set a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.
Despite the National Assembly’s approval of Tinubu’s actions, the NBA maintains that this endorsement does not legitimize an unconstitutional decision.
As tensions continue to rise, legal experts and political analysts are calling for a swift resolution to prevent a deeper crisis. Meanwhile, social media has been buzzing with mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting Tinubu’s intervention while others see it as a threat to democracy.
