Rivers: Tinubu Can Now Use The Military To Rule Nigeria For A Limited Time–Okonkwo

According to a report by Vanguard on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized the Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding the emergency rule declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Okonkwo said the apex court should have refrained from commenting on the emergency declaration, highlighting what he considers to be serious implications for the country’s democratic framework.

“What this means is that the President now has the right to suspend 36 governors at the same time. He can declare a state of emergency nationwide and that he will use the military to rule Nigeria for a limited time,” Okonkwo said.

The Supreme Court, on Monday, confirmed that the President possesses constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency and temporarily suspend elected officials in a state.

This decision follows the declaration of emergency in Rivers State, which has generated significant debate regarding the balance of power between the executive and the judiciary in Nigeria.

Legal analysts have noted that the ruling emphasizes the broad powers vested in the presidency, but it also raises questions about the limits of those powers within a democratic system.

Okonkwo argued that the court’s intervention has created a precedent that could be used in the future to expand executive control beyond reasonable limits.

He warned that such a ruling could affect the autonomy of states, potentially undermining the principles of federalism.

He noted that if left unchecked, the interpretation of emergency powers could be applied in other situations where political tensions exist, which may disrupt governance structures across the country.

The chieftain emphasized that while the constitution allows for emergency declarations under specific circumstances, judicial commentary on such actions should be cautious.

He suggested that the Supreme Court’s decision could embolden the federal government to interpret its powers more aggressively in future scenarios.

Political stakeholders have raised concerns about the implications of this ruling for state governments. Governors may now face increased uncertainty regarding the extent of presidential authority, particularly in situations involving security challenges or political disputes.

Okonkwo stressed that the ruling places significant responsibility on both the judiciary and the executive to ensure that emergency powers are not misused in a manner that could destabilize governance at the state level.

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