Abuja School of Social and Political Thought Advocates for Constitutional Integrity in Rivers Crisis
On March 20, 2025 in Abuja, Dr. Sam Amadi, Executive Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. While expressing support for President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to resolve the turmoil, Dr. Amadi emphasized the need for the National Assembly to exercise its legislative powers to restore the democratically elected authorities in the state. He highlighted that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and elected lawmakers, as announced by President Tinubu, was unconstitutional and undermined the foundations of democracy.
Dr. Amadi pointed out that the constitution permits the declaration of a state of emergency in limited circumstances, but it does not authorize the dissolution of democratic structures, including elected officials. Drawing attention to the provisions of Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, he reiterated that while the President could take extraordinary actions in times of national crisis, the democratic structure, such as the office of the governor, must remain intact. He referenced the 2011 state of emergency in several Nigerian states, where local government chairs were not removed, despite security challenges.
The Executive Director also called for a united approach in defending Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the actions taken by the President should not bypass the oversight role of the National Assembly. He warned that failure to challenge this unilateral exercise of power could set a dangerous precedent for the future of democratic governance in Nigeria. As the nation moves toward the 2027 general elections, Dr. Amadi underscored the importance of upholding constitutional integrity to avoid the breakdown of law and order and ensure stability in the country.
Deepening Democracy Series: TAS Calls for Judicial Action to Safeguard Electoral Integrity in Nigeria
On May 22, 2025 the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TAS), called on Nigerian courts to show courage in nullifying elections that fail to comply with the country’s electoral laws. Dr. Amadi emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring electoral processes remain free from manipulation, asserting that the survival of democracy in Nigeria depends on a system where citizens can trust that elections will lead to genuine changes in government. He further urged the Court of Appeal to assert its authority and compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and its guidelines.
Dr. Amadi also addressed the ongoing issues surrounding the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal judgment, particularly the alleged non-compliance with Section 73 of the Electoral Act and the improper collation of election results. He criticized the tribunal’s handling of evidence related to the use of duplicate result sheets and the failure to operate the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) properly, a procedure required by law. He warned that by allowing such violations, the courts risk legitimizing actions that undermine electoral integrity, sending a dangerous message to future electoral officials and politicians.
TAS stressed that its focus on the Edo election was not about partisanship, but about defending the future of Nigeria’s democracy. Dr. Amadi warned that if the country continued to overlook electoral misconduct, Nigeria could transition from a democracy to an “electoral autocracy.” Fellow scholars at TAS, including Chuks Akamadu and Nwokoye Emmanuel, echoed these concerns, calling on both INEC and the judiciary to safeguard citizens’ rights to elect their leaders and to hold those who violate electoral laws accountable.