A coalition of human rights lawyers under the platform Lawyers in Defence of Democracy on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.
The protest followed President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in the state, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Led by their Country Director, Barrister Uche Chukwu Udeh Sylvester, the protesting lawyers marched to the United States Embassy in Abuja, where they submitted a petition calling on the U.S. and the international community to intervene in what they described as a constitutional breach.
Speaking to journalists, Udeh criticized the federal government’s action, insisting that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers lacked legal justification and constituted a threat to democratic principles.
“There is no constitutional basis for suspending elected leaders under the guise of emergency rule when there is no proven threat to national security or public safety in Rivers State,” Udeh said.
In the petition addressed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, the lawyers accused the Nigerian government of overreach, asserting that such actions are reminiscent of military regimes and not in line with democratic standards.
They wrote, “In an era where democracy is supposed to reign supreme, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The Constitution is being tested as the President has taken an unprecedented and unlawful step by suspending a democratically elected governor and legislature.”
The group maintained that the judiciary and state institutions are equipped to resolve political crises, and therefore, the federal government should have allowed due process to prevail.
The lawyers further condemned the National Assembly for endorsing the emergency declaration, labeling their support as “an assault on democracy and the will of the people.”
They called on President Tinubu to reverse the decision and allow Governor Fubara to resume office in order to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“This development sets a dangerous precedent,” they warned. “We urge the international community, particularly the United States, to lend its voice in defence of democratic values in Nigeria.”