In a scathing rebuke of President Tinubu’s latest move, Nigerian musician and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz has boldly declared that the suspension of the Rivers State Governor is a blatant affront to the nation’s constitutional order. With his characteristic candor, Falz has highlighted the glaring absence of any legal provision that would permit the suspension of an elected governor, exposing what he sees as a brazen power grab by the presidency. As the controversy continues to simmer, Falz’s intervention has rekindled the debate about the limits of executive authority and the imperative of upholding the rule of law in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

On Tuesday, March 18, OSG reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to political instability.

As part of the decision, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy were suspended for six months, along with all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

To oversee the state’s affairs during this period, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the Administrator.

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… pic.twitter.com/Ckux5fCz4v

— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) March 18, 2025

Falz responded to the news on his Twitter page, stating that no law grants the president the authority to suspend a governor.

He emphasized that a governor is elected into office and can only be removed through impeachment.

The singer then questioned whether Rivers State is truly in a state of emergency or facing a breakdown of public order that threatens the existence of the Federation.

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? He posted on his handle

Although the President requires ratification from the National Assembly to confirm the suspension, he has swiftly sworn in the newly appointed state administrator to assume administrative duties and has also released the seized state allocation.