Rivers Assembly Crisis Triggers Call for Presidential Intervention

A growing constitutional controversy in Rivers State has prompted a legal advocacy group to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step in and prevent what it describes as a looming breakdown of legislative governance in the state.

The Nigerian Law Society (NLS), an association of non-litigation legal practitioners, has urged the President to invoke his emergency powers under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to address alleged irregularities within the Rivers State House of Assembly. According to the group, such action would allow the National Assembly, under Section 11 of the Constitution, to temporarily assume limited legislative responsibilities for Rivers State, specifically to pass the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The call follows a recent public admission that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly allegedly received ₦350 million each for constituency projects without the backing of any valid appropriation law. Legal experts say the development raises serious questions about fiscal discipline, constitutional compliance, and the capacity of the Assembly to lawfully perform its core duties.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the NLS explained that its intervention is part of its mandate to offer free legal guidance to public institutions. The group emphasized that it operates alongside the Nigerian Bar Association and is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, with supporting documentation from SMEDAN.

According to the society, allowing the current situation to persist could undermine public confidence in the legislative process and jeopardize the timely passage of the 2026 state budget. It warned that without decisive action, Rivers State risks sliding into deeper institutional uncertainty, with far-reaching consequences for governance and public accountability.

The group appealed to the President to act swiftly, noting that early constitutional intervention would help stabilize the situation, protect public funds, and uphold the rule of law. It stressed that the request is not aimed at political interference but at preserving constitutional order during an exceptional moment.

As debates continue over the implications of the alleged financial misconduct, attention now turns to the Presidency and whether federal intervention will be considered as a means of restoring legislative integrity in Rivers State.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,

Executive Director,

Nigerian Law Society (NLS).