By George Ozalla
Renowned human rights lawyer, Frank Tietie, has expressed disappointment over the silence of particularly Bayelsa and Delta State Governors regarding the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, which led to the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara and the State House of Assembly members.
In a post on his X handle, Tietie stated: “I am disappointed that the Governors of Bayelsa and Delta have yet to approach the Supreme Court to clarify the powers of the President in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency. These governors should remember that they could also be at risk of suspension one day. All it takes is for one disgruntled group or a powerful individual to create enough mayhem in their states, including hurting oil pipelines, and the President could seize control of their oil-rich states through a proclamation of a state of emergency. It’s time to move beyond the widespread condemnation of the President’s actions and allow the Supreme Court to make a decision, just as it did regarding the issues surrounding the redesign of the Naira.”
Tietie, Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), emphasized the need for clarity on the President’s emergency powers and the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions in Nigeria.
Recall that Governor Sim Fubara along side members of Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended by President Tinubu last week following a protracted dispute which has also the FCT Minister as one of the major gladiators and a Sole Administrator appointed to administer the state for initial six months.
