Nigerian rapper and lawyer Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has reacted to the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in light of the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Media Talk Africa reported that in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as well as all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for six months.
Reacting in a statement shared via his X handle on Tuesday night, Falz argued that the President does not have the legal standi to suspend the Governor.
He emphasised that the governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment.
Falz questioned if there was an actual breakdown of law and order in Rivers State that warrants the President to declare a State of Emergency.
He wrote, “Rivers State, 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.
“Also, is Rivers state at war? Is there ‘actual breakdown of public order?’ Is there a threat to the existence of the federation?”
