By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, questioning the legality of the move.
On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the state of emergency, citing political unrest in the oil-rich region. As part of the measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for six months. The President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period.
Reacting to the development on his Twitter page, Falz expressed strong disapproval, arguing that there is no constitutional basis for a president to suspend an elected governor.
“There is ABSOLUTELY NO LAW that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A Governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment,” he wrote.
The singer further questioned whether Rivers State was facing conditions severe enough to warrant emergency rule.
“Is Rivers State at war? Is there an actual breakdown of public order? Is there a threat to the existence of the Federation?” Falz asked.
