The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria (MEN) strongly condemns the brazen assault on democracy and the deliberate subversion of the Constitution by the National Assembly in its fraudulent ratification of emergency rule in Rivers State. What transpired in both chambers of the National Assembly was not a democratic process but a premeditated endorsement of an executive coup against the elected government and people of Rivers State.
This charade of legislative approval is a grave constitutional violation that undermines Nigeria’s democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for the future of governance in the country.
A CONSTITUTIONAL FRAUD
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) is clear: a proclamation of emergency rule must be ratified by at least two-thirds of the total membership of each chamber of the National Assembly—not two-thirds of those present, but two-thirds of the entire membership.
In the House of Representatives, this means a minimum of 240 affirmative votes.
However, from the full televised proceedings and inquiries made as captured by esteemed human rights advocate Abba Hikima in one of his articles, it was clear that more than three members opposed the proclamation.
The Speaker, after dodging multiple calls on points of order during the debate, later admitted that a total of 243 legislators were present.
This means that even if every single present member had voted in favor, the constitutional requirement would barely have been met—yet, there was clearly opposition within the chamber.
The suspicious use of a voice vote instead of a properly recorded tally further confirms that this so-called ratification was a sham.
AN EXECUTIVE DICTATE DISGUISED AS LEGISLATION
Even more outrageous is the fact that the sole administrator, Ibas, had already assumed office before the National Assembly convened to deliberate on the proclamation.
If emergency rule required legislative approval, how did the sole administrator take office before the approval process was concluded?
This preemptive appointment exposes the National Assembly’s deliberation as a mere formality, a fraudulent rubber-stamping exercise to give legitimacy to an already executed executive overreach.
The reality is that the National Assembly was not conducting an approval process but was merely endorsing a decision that had already been made behind closed doors. This makes the entire process null and void ab initio—invalid from the very beginning.
A CALCULATED ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY
This reckless abuse of emergency powers is not just about Rivers State—it is a deliberate attack on Nigeria’s democratic institutions. If left unchallenged, it will become a weapon for suppressing opposition-controlled states, rigging elections, and silencing political dissent under the guise of constitutionalism.
The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria (MEN) calls upon:
Aggrieved legislators to challenge this fraudulent ratification in court.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and constitutional lawyers to file an urgent legal action to nullify this illegality.
Civil society organizations and pro-democracy groups to demand public access to the certified voting records to expose the deception behind this process.
The judiciary to issue an immediate injunction halting the implementation of emergency rule in Rivers State until a full judicial review is conducted.
The international community to recognize this as a flagrant abuse of power and to hold the Nigerian government accountable.
A WARNING TO ENEMIES OF DEMOCRACY
The National Assembly’s willingness to violate the Constitution for political expediency is a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy. If this blatant abuse of legislative powers is allowed to stand, then no state government is safe from executive overreach.
We warn all enablers of this constitutional fraud—the Nigerian people will not sit idly by while democracy is dismantled piece by piece.
This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the survival of Nigeria’s constitutional order.
We urge all freedom-loving Nigerians to reject this fraud, resist tyranny, and defend our democracy before it is too late.
WE SHALL NOT BE SILENCED.
E-SIGNED,
COMRADE-GENERAL
Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria (MEN)
National Headquarters, Abuja
March 21st, 2025
