The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s controversial move to present Rivers State’s 2025 budget directly to the National Assembly, labeling it an unconstitutional and authoritarian assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement on Thursday HURIWA accused the President of circumventing the Rivers State House of Assembly and unlawfully exercising legislative powers under an emergency rule that lacks legal validation.
The group described this as “a dangerous slide toward dictatorship” and warned it threatens the country’s federal structure.
HURIWA also criticized the Supreme Court and National Assembly leadership for their perceived role in facilitating this breach of constitutional governance, calling it a “collusive betrayal” of democratic principles.
“This blatant overreach by the Executive undermines the autonomy of states and violates the 1999 Constitution. It sets a dangerous precedent that could erode democratic governance across Nigeria,” said Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA National Coordinator.
The group called on Nigerians, civil society, and the international community to reject this abuse of power and demanded the National Assembly suspend all budget deliberations until the Rivers State legislature is properly reinstated.
“If democracy is compromised in Rivers, it endangers the entire federation,” HURIWA warned, urging all stakeholders to resist this unfolding threat to Nigeria’s democratic fabric.