The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a dangerous attack on Nigeria’s democracy.

Although the emergency proclamation was lifted after six months, CUPP said the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly never should have happened.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, the opposition coalition said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to invoke the emergency on March 18, 2025, over a political feud between Governor Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike as well as isolated incidents of pipeline vandalism, did not meet the requirements set out in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to CUPP, the action, taken without a request from elected state officials, amounted to federal overreach that undermined the mandate of Rivers voters and eroded state autonomy in the federation.

The coalition demanded that the Presidency publish the legal memo used to justify the proclamation, disclose the financial cost of the emergency, and provide a full review of rights violations that occurred during the period.

CUPP also raised concern that the six months lost from the governor’s tenure and the Assembly’s operations cannot be recovered, describing it as a violation of constitutional provisions on elected terms.

“The President acted as a ‘Proclaimer General,’ threatening the democratic balance of our federation,” the statement read.

The coalition further expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court for refusing to hear a case filed by PDP governors challenging the proclamation, accusing the court of complicity in allowing an illegal act to stand.

“This failure to uphold constitutional authority exposed the judiciary’s hypocrisy and weakened its credibility,” CUPP stated.

Calling on political parties, civil society, and citizens to resist such actions in future, CUPP said Nigerians must defend the sanctity of free and fair elections to prevent the country from sliding into authoritarianism.