By ElMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors? Forum (PDPGF) has advised President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers.

The Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers as unconstitutional.

Mohammed stated that it was illegal and unacceptable for the president to suspend democratically elected officials of a state.

?The PDPGF has noted with concern the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers by the president. We state categorically that this is a threat to democracy.

?This is a premeditated attack on Rivers, the PDP and other opposition parties in the country. It is a great threat to democracy, and an ill wind that will blow no one any good.

?It is a dangerous course of action that will not only endanger our hard earned democracy, but deepen crisis in the country, ? the statement read in parts.

The PDPGF chairman further said that the president?s action would exacerbate the crises in the nation, deepen mistrust, elevate security threats, and destroy the economy.

In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the emergency rule declaration in Rivers as unconstitutional.

The President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, said in a statement on Wednesday that declaration of emergency rule remained an extraordinary measure that must be invoked strictly within constitutional limits.

?The NBA affirms its commitment to upholding the constitution, defending democratic governance, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Nigeria.

?The removal of elected officials under the pretext of emergency rule is unconstitutional and unacceptable,? he said.

He urged Tinubu to reverse the declaration in the interest of democracy and the wellbeing of Rivers people.(NAN)

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