El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, and other powerful politicians joined Atiku at the press conference to denounce the emergency rule in Rivers. Former governors Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi also sent apologies, while Yunusa Tanko represented Peter Obi.

Atiku, who read the speech at the joint press conference organized by Nigerian political stakeholders and concerned leaders, listed the unlawful removal of a governor and State Assembly as one of the constitutional violations in the declaration of emergency rule.

Other areas where they faulted President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers are the misuse of Section 305 on State of Emergency, failure to meet constitutional requirements for emergency rule, failure to follow due process, and ignoring alternative legal avenues.

According to the coalition: “This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government. We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the constitution of our country and the institutions of our democracy.”

“Mr President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land.

“We note that despite provocative statements and belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to the implementation of the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“However, rather than rise above the fray, the President yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.’

“If President Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office,” they claimed.

Defending their rejection of the emergency rule, the coalition said: “Without any doubts, the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the President to remove an elected Governor, Deputy Governor, or State Assembly under any circumstances. The procedure for removing a governor is clearly outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) through an impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly—not by presidential proclamation or arbitrary pronouncement.”

“Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an Elected Governor with a Military Administrator.

“We recall that even when a previous administration had declared a state of emergency in parts of the country bedevilled by insurgency and acts of terrorism, the governors of the concerned states were not removed from office as this administration has done. This action by President Tinubu therefore represents a new low for our country,” the coalition lamented.

The Waziri Adamawa responded “yes” when asked if the coalition will move past criticism to organize and cooperate in order to seize power in 2027.