The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has strongly criticized the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing both chambers of aiding in the desecration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Caucus meeting, held at the residence of former leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, Afenifere stated that members of the National Assembly have demonstrated a lack of courage in defending the democratic rights of Nigerians.

The communiqué, signed by Afenifere Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Prince Justice Faloye, described the President’s action and the National Assembly’s endorsement as “an ill-wind that blows the nation no good and a spit in the face of Nigerians.”

Afenifere called on the leadership of the National Assembly to step down in the interest of integrity, decency, and respect for the principle of separation of powers, which it described as the foundation of democracy.

“Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians but in a manner consistent with its proven character, the 10th Assembly in both chambers not only joined hands with the President in further desecrating the already tenuous 1999 Constitution but also demonstrated a lack of courage to defend the democratic rights of the people,” the communiqué read.

It further criticized the use of a voice vote to approve the emergency rule, arguing that such a procedure obscured constitutional requirements for a two-thirds majority vote in matters of national significance.

“The resort to a voice vote, thereby avoiding compliance with constitutional provisions, is a clear attempt to obscure the required legislative plebiscite on such a matter of monumental national importance. The President’s unilateral reversal of the electoral decision of the people of Rivers State is an affront to democracy and spits on the faces of Nigerians,” Afenifere stated.

Afenifere warned that the increasing concentration of power in the executive arm of government posed a serious threat to democracy, likening the situation to the way Adolf Hitler hijacked German democracy.

“By these very acts, a new gambit has emerged—a crisis of Nigerian constitutionalism—where both the horizontal principle of separation of powers and the vertical principles of federalism are being undemocratically usurped by an all-powerful executive that believes it can do whatever it wants,” the communiqué added.

The group also dismissed the recent vote of confidence passed on Senate President Godswill Akpabio by his colleagues, stating that it was an admission of a crisis of confidence within the Senate itself.

Afenifere urged all Nigerians to rise in defense of democracy and the rule of law, warning that failure to act could lead to the destruction of the country’s hard-won democratic system.

“We call on all people of goodwill to take legitimate action to restore the rule of law, ensure best democratic practices, and save Nigerian democracy. We must nip this in the bud before our democracy is completely eroded,” the communiqué concluded.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the petition submitted for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan fell short of some requirements.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said this in a statement issued on Thursday, 25th March, 2025.

Olumekun said the commission would take the necessary steps in line with laid down provisions if the petitioners completes the process in the appropriate manner.

“The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.”

“The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.

“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is “Okene, Kogi State”, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.

“The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them. Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only. The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines. In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.”

The Commission reassured the public that it would be guided by the legal framework for recall.