ADC: S/Court ruling on state of emergency endangers federalism

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has flayed the Supreme Court for allegedly empowering the presidency in a manner that threatens Nigeria’s federal structure and democratic order following its ruling affirming the president’s authority to suspend elected governors and state assemblies during a state of emergency.

The party warned that although the judgment appeared academic, it established a dangerous precedent that concentrated excessive power in the hands of the president and undermined the principles of federalism and constitutional democracy.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it was alarmed by what it described as the far-reaching implications of the apex court’s decision.

While noting that the same judgment acknowledged that no arm or tier of government was constitutionally superior to another, the party said the practical effect of the ruling contradicted this principle by granting the president overwhelming control over state political institutions.

“The ADC, therefore, considers this judgment an extremely dangerous threat to Nigeria’s federalism and democracy,” Abdullahi said.

A win for Nigerians – Fagbemi

However, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the judgement of the Supreme Court is a win for all Nigerians.

Fagbemi’s, in a statement by his media aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Tuesday, said, “I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the power granted the president by the constitution to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria whenever the situation arises.”

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