Kenneth Okonkwo: Tinubu’s State of Emergency is Unconstitutional

Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration: Kenneth Okonkwo Responds

​Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it both illegal and unconstitutional. In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Okonkwo argued that the President overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending the state’s elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the House of Assembly, for six months.​

Okonkwo highlighted that, according to the Nigerian Constitution, the President does not possess the power to unilaterally remove elected representatives. He cited a precedent from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, during which a state of emergency was declared in three northeastern states—Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe—without dissolving the existing democratic structures. Okonkwo emphasized that maintaining these structures is essential to uphold democratic principles, even during emergencies.

Furthermore, Okonkwo contended that the responsibility for security lies primarily with the federal government, which controls the nation’s security apparatus. He suggested that attributing security lapses in Rivers State solely to the state governor is misplaced. Okonkwo also questioned the selective nature of the federal intervention, implying that if the President were earnest about addressing the crisis impartially, the actions should extend to all parties involved, including certain federal officials.​

In his appeal, Okonkwo called on the National Assembly to reject the President’s actions, describing them as undemocratic and a potential threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework. He urged all democratic forces to oppose what he perceives as an attempt to undermine the nation’s democracy.