Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent human rights advocate and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has reacted publicly to comments made by respected elder statesman and senior advocate, Femi Falana (SAN), regarding a recent Supreme Court ruling. Odinkalu shared his views through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, where he cautioned against what he described as a misinterpretation of the judgment.
The Supreme Court’s decision, which affirmed that the president has constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency and suspend a sitting governor, sparked widespread debate across the country, particularly following developments in Rivers State. The ruling surprised many Nigerians and quickly became a subject of intense legal and political discussion.
In response to the controversy, Femi Falana (SAN) offered a detailed explanation of the judgment, attempting to clarify its constitutional implications. However, his interpretation generated mixed reactions, including strong opposition from Odinkalu.
Reacting to Falana’s comments, Odinkalu argued that the apex court’s decision was unambiguous. According to him, the ruling explicitly empowers the president to suspend governors under emergency provisions, and this position, he insisted, should not be reinterpreted or softened by legal commentary.
Odinkalu maintained that the judgment speaks clearly for itself and leaves little room for doubt. He stressed that the Supreme Court had effectively granted the president the authority to take such action, as seen in the case involving Rivers State.
He concluded by aserting that attempts to reinterpret the ruling risk distorting its clear constitutional implications, emphasizing that the court’s decision should be understood exactly as delivered.
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