Folarin Falana, often known as Falz, a Nigerian rapper and lawyer, has responded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State due to the state’s ongoing political conflict.
During a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for six months.
Falz responded in a statement released via his X page on Tuesday night, claiming that the President lacks the legal standing to suspend the Governor.
He underlined that governors are elected and can only be removed through impeachment.
Falz asked whether Rivers State’s law and order situation was indeed that bad that the president had 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?”