Afenifere Condemns National Assembly’s Support for Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Pan-Yoruba Group Accuses Lawmakers of Undermining Democracy

The Afenifere, Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has strongly criticized the National Assembly for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing lawmakers of violating the 1999 Constitution and failing to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

Following a National Caucus meeting held at the residence of the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, Afenifere released a communique condemning the actions of the Senate and House of Representatives. The statement, signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the group’s Leader, and Prince Justice Faloye, the National Publicity Secretary, described the National Assembly’s endorsement of the emergency rule as a betrayal of democratic principles.

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Violation of Constitutional Process

Afenifere strongly argued that the 1999 Constitution requires a two-thirds majority from both chambers of the National Assembly before a state of emergency can be declared. The group criticized the lawmakers for bypassing this requirement and instead approving the President’s decision through a voice vote, which it claims lacks transparency and constitutional legitimacy.

“Contrary to the expectation of Nigerians, the 10th Assembly in both chambers not only joined hands with the President in further desecrating the tenuous 1999 Constitution but also demonstrated a lack of courage to defend the democratic rights of the people of Nigeria,” the communique stated.

Afenifere insisted that the National Assembly’s role should be to check executive power, not rubber-stamp its decisions. The group described the lawmakers’ actions as a dangerous precedent that weakens democracy and gives excessive power to the President.

A Vote of Confidence Amid Public Distrust

Beyond criticizing the state of emergency, Afenifere also questioned the recent vote of confidence passed by the Senate in favor of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The group described the vote as an admission of internal distrust and an attempt to silence legitimate concerns about the Senate’s independence.

According to Afenifere, the fact that Akpabio presided over his own vote of confidence further damages the Senate’s credibility and raises questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative leadership.

“The Senate President presided over the vote despite public concerns, deepening the perception of dysfunction within the legislative body,” the communique noted.

Warning Against Authoritarianism

Afenifere warned that Nigeria is at risk of falling into undemocratic practices, similar to how Adolf Hitler manipulated Germany’s democratic institutions before consolidating power. The group accused the executive branch of overreaching its authority, consolidating excessive control over national affairs, and undermining the principles of federalism and separation of powers.

The group also criticized the National Assembly leadership, calling for the immediate resignation of those who have failed to uphold their oaths of office. According to Afenifere, the continued erosion of democratic principles could eventually lead to the loss of civil liberties and the return of authoritarian rule.

Call to Action: Protecting Democracy

In its final remarks, Afenifere called on Nigerians to rise against the erosion of democratic values, urging citizens to actively resist unconstitutional actions by the government. The group stressed the need for mass mobilization to prevent further threats to civil liberties, rule of law, and democratic governance.

“We must nip this in the bud before our hard-won democracy is destroyed,” Afenifere warned.

As the debate over the state of emergency in Rivers State continues, Afenifere’s strong opposition signals growing concerns over the future of Nigeria’s democracy and the increasing influence of executive power in national affairs. The group’s call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of defending constitutional principles and ensuring that democratic institutions remain independent and accountable.