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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the President’s authority to take extraordinary measures, including the suspension of elected governors and state assemblies, during a declared state of emergency.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the ruling as creating a “constitutional tyrant” in the Presidency, warning that it poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s federal structure and democratic principles.
The ADC’s reaction follows the Supreme Court’s split decision on Monday, which upheld the President’s powers under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution in a case stemming from a previous state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
The apex court, in a 6-1 majority ruling, held that the President may deploy discretionary measures to restore peace and security, provided such actions are temporary and subject to safeguards like proportionality, legislative oversight, and judicial review.
However, the ADC argued that the judgment, while presented as academic in the original suit, establishes a perilous precedent.
“The obvious implication… is that the President of Nigeria, or his agents, could easily contrive a security situation in any state whose governor is deemed ‘unfriendly’ and proceed to suspend both the Governor and the State House of Assembly,” the statement read.
The party expressed particular concern over the reliability of the identified safeguards, citing what it described as the current administration’s influence over the National Assembly and perceived weaknesses in checks against executive overreach.
“With this form of ‘judicial review,’ the Supreme Court has inadvertently aided the imposition of constitutional tyranny on Nigeria,” the ADC stated, adding that such tyranny often emerges gradually through the erosion of democratic norms rather than overt coups.
The statement further cautioned Nigerians against complacency, noting that neither the legislature nor the judiciary appears positioned to curb potential abuses.
The ADC called for heightened vigilance to protect federalism and democracy amid ongoing political tensions.
AFRIPOST reports that the Supreme Court ruling has sparked broader debate, with other opposition figures and parties echoing concerns about expanded executive powers potentially undermining state autonomy.