The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, speaking on behalf of opposition leaders. When asked about the coalition, he responded, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”
The announcement comes amid political turmoil in Rivers State following President Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency. On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, a move that has drawn widespread criticism.
Below is the full speech from the opposition leaders:
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY CONCERNED LEADERS AND POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS ON THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE
Fellow Nigerians,
We, a coalition of political stakeholders from across the country, have convened to address the unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025—specifically, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly.
This move is not only unlawful but a blatant attempt to undermine democracy and impose federal control over a duly elected government. We strongly condemn this development and urge all Nigerians to resist this attack on constitutional governance.
Violations of the Nigerian Constitution
1. Unlawful Removal of a Governor and State Assembly
• The Nigerian Constitution does not grant the President the power to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly.
• Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly states that a Governor can only be removed through an impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly—not through a presidential decree.
2. Misuse of Emergency Powers
• Section 305 of the Constitution allows the President to declare a state of emergency only under extreme circumstances that threaten national security or Nigeria’s sovereignty.
• The law does not grant him the authority to suspend elected officials or dismantle democratic institutions.
3. Failure to Meet Constitutional Requirements
• Section 305(3) specifies that a state of emergency can only be declared under specific conditions, including:
• War or external aggression
• Breakdown of public order and safety
• Natural disasters or grave emergencies threatening Nigeria’s existence
• None of these conditions exist in Rivers State, making the emergency declaration unconstitutional.
4. Disregard for Due Process
• Even if a state of emergency were justifiable (which it is not), it would require approval by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly.
• Without this approval, the declaration should automatically be void.
5. Political Motives Behind the Crisis
• The crisis in Rivers State stems from the defection of 27 Assembly members from the PDP to the APC, leading to a legal battle over their seats.
• Rather than allowing due process, the federal government has engineered a crisis to justify this unconstitutional action.
• The claim that the emergency was declared due to security concerns, such as pipeline vandalism, is misleading. The President controls federal security agencies, and any failure in security falls under his administration.
Our Demands
1. Immediate Reversal of the Proclamation
• President Tinubu must revoke this unconstitutional action and reinstate the duly elected Rivers State government.
2. National Assembly’s Rejection of the Emergency Rule
• We urge lawmakers to reject this illegal power grab when it comes up for legislative approval.
3. Judicial Intervention
• The courts must act swiftly to nullify this declaration and prevent dangerous precedents that could be used to arbitrarily remove Governors in the future.
4. Defending Democracy
• We call on civil society organizations, political groups, and all Nigerians to stand firm against this assault on democracy. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship.
A stable and peaceful Niger Delta is vital to Nigeria’s economic and political stability. The federal government must not manufacture political crises that threaten this stability.
This is not just about Rivers State—it is about protecting Nigeria’s democracy for future generations.
We thank you all”.
