The Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported move to present Rivers State’s 2025 budget of ₦1.48 trillion to the National Assembly for approval, describing the action as “illegal” and carried out in “bad faith.”
Speaking to our correspondent in Port Harcourt, Pilex Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, stated that the move violates constitutional provisions and disregards a Supreme Court ruling affirming that only the Governor of Rivers State can present the budget through the State House of Assembly.
“The President has no constitutional power to present a state budget to the National Assembly. Even under a state of emergency, the President cannot suspend or usurp the powers of a sitting Governor.
“Everything being done in this regard is illegal, and any foundation built on such illegality is equally unlawful,” he asserted.
Pilex Centre referenced the landmark Supreme Court case of A.G Federation v. A.G Lagos State (2004), which clarified that while Section 305 of the Constitution provides for a declaration of a state of emergency, it does not grant the President powers to suspend a democratically elected governor.
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“The emergency rule declared in Rivers State should aim at restoring peace not dismantling governance structures. The focus should be on restoring peace, not overstepping constitutional boundaries.”
The Centre further described President Tinubu’s action as “gross misconduct,” urging the National Assembly to reject the budget presentation.
“The National Assembly must fulfill its constitutional duty of checks and balances. Sadly, what we have now is a rubber-stamp assembly more interested in political survival than in protecting democracy. The Judiciary has been compromised, and the Legislature is now a mere extension of the Executive.”
Pilex also criticized the recent decision by the Chief Justice of Nigeria to transfer all pending legal matters relating to the Rivers State Sole Administrator to Abuja, calling it another indication that democratic institutions are “tools in the hands of the Executive.”
“With all three arms of government compromised, the Nigerian people have effectively lost their voice. When the social contract fails, the consequences are dire reminiscent of biblical times when Israel cried, ‘To your tents, O Israel.’ That’s the point we are nearing.”
The organisation concluded by reaffirming the Supreme Court’s position that only the Governor has the authority to present the state budget to the House of Assembly, urging civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to resist the move by all legal and peaceful means necessary.
“This executive rascality must not stand. The Rivers State budget can only be legally presented by its Governor to its duly constituted Assembly. Anything outside of that is unconstitutional and must be resisted.”
