Washington DC, United States – A coalition of Nigerian activists under the Democratic Movement (DM) has announced a plan to protest at the White House in Washington, DC in the United States over the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
The demonstrators will march to the White House and the U.S. Department of State to submit petitions demanding international intervention.
The coalition is demanding the reversal of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The group is also calling for the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the restoration of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The president of the group, Cosmos Collins Achief, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, April 3, 2025, and made available to Legit.ng.
Achief said the protest aims to draw global attention to a “direct assault on democracy and the will of the people.”
“We cannot sit back while an elected governor is removed, an entire legislature is suspended, and an unelected administrator is imposed. These are dangerous precedents that threaten Nigeria’s democracy.”
The statement added that:
“The world needs to see what is happening in Rivers State. A democratically elected government has been suspended under the guise of emergency rule. We are urging President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and call for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.”
The pro-democracy movement also called on global leaders, including the United Nations and the African Union, to take notice of what it describes as a blatant attack on democratic governance in Nigeria.
Achief warned that:
“The president must understand that his actions could lead to serious diplomatic consequences. This move is a step toward dictatorship, and Nigeria risks facing international sanctions if democratic principles are not respected.”
The demonstration is expected to draw the attention of Nigerians in the diaspora, civil rights activists, and supporters of democracy who share concerns about governance in Nigeria.
Legit.ng earlier reported that a Nigerian coalition petitioned the African Union, alleging that President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State violates constitutional democracy.
The group claims that Tinubu overreached by suspending Governor Fubara and dissolving the state assembly without legal justification.
Rivers emergency rule: What Fubara should do to have a soft landing
Anyakweh Miracle Amadi, Esq. explained the only way Fubara can have a soft landing after the state of emergency declaration in Rivers state.
During an interview with Legit.ng, the public affairs analyst said Fubara should reach out to those Nyesom Wike and the Speaker respect to help him.
