The Rivers State Crisis: A Constitutional Debate
The Rivers State Crisis: A Constitutional Debate By Hon. Lawson Oghenetejirhi Sorhue, SAL, SANL Introduction : The political crisis in Rivers State has ignited a fierce debate about the limits of presidential power in Nigeria. At its core are two provocative questions: Can the President constitutionally suspend a sitting governor, and is the appointment of an administrator legally defensible? This article explores these issues through the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , relevant case law, and statutory provisions, weighing the arguments and drawing on historical context to fuel the discussion. Recent developments—namely, the National Assembly’s sanctioning of the President’s state of emergency declaration and possibly all attending issues under Section 11(4) [1] —add a critical layer to this analysis. Can The President Constitutionally Suspend A Sitting Governor? The notion of a Nigerian President suspending a sitting Governor, Deputy Gov...