NADECO-USA Writes Trump, Urges Visa Ban on Akpabio, Abbas, Ibas Over Rivers Emergency Rule

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO-USA) has called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a visa ban on Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State. The appeal follows what the group describes as a “clear subversion of democracy” in the state.

In a letter signed by its executive director, Lloyd Ukwu, NADECO-USA accused Nigerian President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating an unconstitutional emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. According to the group, the move resulted in the suspension of the democratically elected Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy Dr. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state house of assembly.

The letter argues that the imposition of emergency rule granted Tinubu extraordinary powers not supported by the constitution. Ukwu said Ibas’s appointment as sole administrator was in direct violation of both Nigerian constitutional provisions and internationally accepted democratic principles.

NADECO-USA claimed the emergency rule could not have been implemented without the backing of Akpabio and Abbas, who, according to the group, enabled the president’s actions by using their leadership positions in the legislature.

In the letter, Ukwu urged Trump to direct the U.S. State Department to place visa restrictions on Akpabio, Abbas, Ibas, and their families, stating that such a move would signal firm support for democratic values and the rule of law in Nigeria.

He emphasized that a strong international stance is necessary to demonstrate that the United States will not tolerate actions that undermine democratic governance or the will of the Nigerian people.

NADECO-USA also disclosed that it plans to escalate the matter to other international actors, including the United Kingdom and the European Union. The group intends to pursue every legal and political avenue to ensure that those involved in what it described as a destabilization effort are held accountable.

The organization reiterated its opposition to Ibas’s appointment, asserting that Rivers State, as a sovereign entity within Nigeria’s federal system, cannot have its elected leadership suspended without due constitutional process.