The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the reversal of the state of emergency in Rivers State declared by President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued Thursday by the forum’s chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the governors argued that the measure was unnecessary. “To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the Rescission of the State of Emergency,” the statement read.

The forum urged dialogue as a solution to the political crisis and called for calm. “In the meantime, we encourage all parties to remain calm, uphold peace and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The time for dialogue is now,” it added.

While acknowledging the president’s constitutional authority to maintain law and order, the governors maintained that the situation in Rivers did not meet the legal conditions for a state of emergency under Section 305(3) of the constitution. They also emphasized that the constitution provides clear procedures for removing a governor or House of Assembly members.

“The South-South Governors’ Forum expresses concern that the current political situation in Rivers State does not satisfy the criteria for declaring a state of emergency,” the statement said, noting that such measures are intended for extreme situations like war, external aggression, or natural disasters.

The governors insisted that the crisis should be resolved through legal and constitutional means rather than “executive fiat.”