The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the termination of the six-month-old state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a dangerous attack on Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, CUPP insisted that the declaration of emergency rule and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was nothing short of an unconstitutional power grab that should never have been allowed.
According to Ameh, “Democracy thrives on the will of the people and the independence of institutions. The action, executed without the request of elected state officials, undermined the mandate of Rivers State voters and set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of state autonomy in Nigeria’s federation.”
The opposition coalition further demanded full transparency from the Presidency. CUPP called for the release of the legal memo that justified the emergency, disclosure of all financial costs incurred, and a comprehensive review of rights violated during the six-month period.
“Nigerians deserve clarity to restore trust in our governance system. By assuming unchecked authority, President Tinubu acted as a ‘Proclaimer General,’ threatening the democratic balance of our federation,” the CUPP statement read.
The group also expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case brought by PDP governors against the emergency, accusing the judiciary of prioritizing political interests over the rule of law.
“This failure to uphold constitutional authority allowed an illegal act to persist, exposing the Court’s complicity. Such hypocrisy weakens the judiciary’s credibility and endangers Nigeria’s democratic foundation,” CUPP warned.
Calling for collective resistance, CUPP urged political parties, civil society groups, and citizens to reject what it described as a “dangerous precedent” and to defend democracy at all costs.
“History will judge this episode as either a fleeting misstep or the beginning of a slide toward authoritarianism,” the statement concluded. “We urge the government to recommit to constitutional governance and ensure such overreach is never repeated.”
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