The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement expressing concern over the recent split judgment by the Supreme Court regarding the President’s powers to suspend elected officials and dissolve democratic institutions.
The case, marked SC/CV/329/2025, was filed by the Attorney-General of Adamawa State against the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Assembly, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s earlier declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said while the court struck out the suit on the grounds of lack of cause of action, it delivered a judgment that has sparked serious apprehension in the PDP. The party has warned that the court’s comments, which seem to support the President’s actions, could have dangerous implications for the democratic structure of the country.
The PDP pointed out that, according to the Constitution, no entity—except the State House of Assembly or a court—has the power to remove a Governor from office. The party expressed fears that this judgment could pave the way for future abuses of presidential powers, where the President, with the support of the National Assembly, could leverage emergency powers to enforce political compliance and potentially dismantle democratic structures.
The PDP also warned that the court’s interpretation of Section 305(3)(c) of the Constitution, which grants powers for “extraordinary measures to restore peace and security,” could be extended to justify the suspension of other constitutional institutions, including the judiciary. Such a move, they argue, could lead to the centralization of power and the weakening of federalism in Nigeria.
Asserting their commitment to the protection of democracy, the PDP called on the National Assembly to urgently enact safeguards that would limit the scope of the President’s emergency powers. The party also urged Nigerians, civil society organizations, the media, and the international democratic community to stay vigilant in the defense of Nigeria’s democratic principles.
The PDP concluded by expressing hope that, in future, the Supreme Court would provide clearer guidance on the constitutional limits of emergency powers to safeguard the stability and long-term health of Nigeria’s democracy.
