A coalition of Nigerian activists based in the United States, under the banner of the Democratic Movement, has urged global leaders, including the United Nations and the African Union, to step in against what it describes as a grave assault on democracy in Rivers State.
In response to the declaration of emergency rule in the state, the pro-democracy group has announced plans for a rally outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
Their key demands include the reversal of the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the restoration of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The coalition also called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and advocate for the immediate reinstatement of constitutional order.
The president of the coalition, Cosmos Achief, issued a statement on Thursday, emphasizing the need for international attention on the situation.
“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,” Achief stated.
According to the group, the planned demonstration will include a march to both the White House and the U.S. Department of State, where petitions will be submitted to press for foreign intervention.
“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 statement continued.
Achief further warned of potential diplomatic repercussions if democratic principles are undermined.
“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,” he added.
The protest is expected to draw Nigerians in the diaspora, civil rights activists, and democracy advocates who are concerned about governance issues in Nigeria.
