Nigeria, March 21 -- Nigeria's democracy is built on the principles of separation of powers and constitutional supremacy. Every public office derives its legitimacy from the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outlines the limits of authority for the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government. Yet, time and again, we witness brazen overreach presidents unilaterally removing state governors under the guise of a "state of emergency."

The President of Nigeria has no constitutional power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or dissolve a state assembly by mere proclamation. Any attempt to do so is unconstitutional, an abuse of power, and a direct assault on democratic governance.

The Nigerian Constitution provides a cle...