Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, known as Falz, has publicly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly for six months.
Falz expressed his concerns on social media, stating that there is no legal provision in Nigeria that permits a president to suspend a governor. He emphasized that a governor, being an elected official, can only be removed through the process of impeachment.
In his post, Falz questioned the justification for such drastic measures, asking whether Rivers State is at war, experiencing an actual breakdown of public order, or facing a threat to the existence of the federation—conditions typically required to declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution.
This sentiment aligns with the Nigerian Bar Association’s stance, which has also criticized the suspension of elected officials as unconstitutional, arguing that a declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments.
The situation in Rivers State has garnered significant attention, with debates surrounding the legality and necessity of the president’s actions continuing to unfold.
