A Nigerian pro-democracy coalition, Concerned Nigerians in Defence of Democratic Governance (DCG), has petitioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urging urgent intervention over what it describes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s moves to undermine democracy in the country following recent developments in Rivers State.
In a petition jointly signed by Comrade Aliyu Tanko, Bello Adamu, Nnamdi Ekwueme, Nicholas Upelle, Sadiq Alao, and Oche Oche, and addressed to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, the coalition expressed grave concerns over the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. 
The petitioners argued that President Tinubu’s actions in Rivers State are unconstitutional and set a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria and the broader West African region if left unaddressed. They highlighted that similar political crises in other West African nations began at subnational levels before escalating into national challenges that provoked military interventions. 
The activists alleged that the President’s decision was politically motivated, aimed at empowering his ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to take control of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections. They emphasized that the state was not experiencing unrest that warranted such drastic measures, suggesting that the imposition of emergency rule was a strategic move to undermine the opposition. 
In addition to the petition, reports indicate that President Tinubu has been taken before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of democratically elected authorities in Rivers State. The applicants are seeking an order to set aside the suspension of elected officials and the removal of democratic structures in the state. 
Furthermore, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senate President, has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an assault on democracy. He asserted that dismantling democratically elected officeholders and installing a sole administrator is undemocratic and alien to Nigeria’s Constitution. 
The coalition’s petition underscores growing concerns among pro-democracy activists and opposition figures regarding the state of democratic governance in Nigeria. They call upon ECOWAS to intervene and ensure that democratic principles are upheld, warning that failure to address these issues could have broader implications for the stability and democratic integrity of the West African region.
As the situation develops, stakeholders within and outside Nigeria will be closely monitoring the response of ECOWAS and the Nigerian government to these allegations and calls for action.
