The ongoing political quagmire in Rivers State has elicited a wide range of reactions from various quarters. Loyalists, aggrieved individuals with personal grievances, opportunists masking self-interest as intervention, as well as both friends and foes, have all weighed in. Some arguments are rational, some biased, and others outright absurd. Yet, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
A significant point of contention has been President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and suspension of the Governor, his deputy and the house of assembly members. Some argue that he overstepped, while others contend that the legal basis for such a move remains ambiguous.
The reality is that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which governs the declaration of a state of emergency, remains unclear and requires further judicial interpretation. This debate is further complicated by historical precedents, such as the 2004 suspension of Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.