PRESS STATEMENT RIVERS STATE: RIGHTS GROUP FAULTS STATE OF EMERGENCY

The Center For Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has reviewed the situation in Rivers State leading to the declaration of a State of Emergency by the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.

The CHRAN views the suspension of the State Governor, Deputy Governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were democratically elected for a four-year tenure by the people of Rivers State as unconstitutional, undemocratic and extreme posing a threat to the hard-earned democracy in Nigeria.

The CHRAN views the suspension of the State Governor, Deputy Governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were democratically elected for a four-year tenure by the people of Rivers State as unconstitutional, undemocratic and extreme posing a threat to the hard-earned democracy in Nigeria.

The CHRAN rejects the imposition of military rule in Rivers State under the guise of a State of Emergency and calls on the President to be more dispassionate in seeking to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.

The Center urges the National Assembly, to as a matter of urgency, review the declaration by the President of a State of Emergency in Rivers State which is a threat to the nation's democracy.

The CHRAN is a pro-democracy cum human rights organisation in Nigeria committed to holding governments and public officeholders accountable to the people and deepening democracy in Nigeria and entrenching sound democratic ethos.

Signed Otuekong Franklyn Isong Director)

Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo (Secretary)

Dated: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.