Nigeria Kenneth Okonkwo Faults Supreme Court Verdict, Says Tinubu Can Now "Rule Nigeria with Military"

The Digest:

Following the Supreme Court's affirmation of the President's emergency powers, ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has argued that the verdict effectively allows President Tinubu to suspend all 36 governors and rule Nigeria with the military.

Key Points:

• ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo faulted the Supreme Court verdict affirming Tinubu's emergency powers in Rivers State.
• Okonkwo claimed the ruling means the President can now suspend all 36 governors and use the military to rule Nigeria.
• He argued the Supreme Court should have declined jurisdiction without making substantive pronouncements on the case.
• The apex court ruled that the President has constitutional power to declare an emergency and suspend elected officials for a limited time.
• Okonkwo criticised the court for striking out the suit for lack of jurisdiction, yet offering opinions that create "confusion."
• He stated that while the President can declare an emergency, he lacks the power to suspend elected officials.
• The suit was filed by PDP-governed states challenging Tinubu's six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.

This criticism frames the verdict not just as a legal outcome, but as a potential pivot point in the balance of power between the presidency and federating units.

Sources: Vanguard News, The Guardian