The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has sparked a heated debate among political leaders and stakeholders, with reactions ranging from strong support to outright condemnation.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga defended the move, stating that without the emergency declaration, the situation in Rivers could have worsened significantly. He emphasized that the crisis between the state’s executive and legislative arms had the potential to spiral into chaos, endangering governance and national economic interests.
Backing the President’s decision, Senator Monday Okpebholo lauded Tinubu’s intervention, describing it as a proactive step that stabilized the country’s economy. He criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to take decisive action during similar crises in his tenure, including the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction.
“The man criticizing President Tinubu did not take a similar step when the nation faced threats under his administration. The declaration of emergency has saved Nigeria’s economy,” Okpebholo asserted. He further highlighted how the economic strength of Nigeria has drastically improved, comparing it to Jonathan’s era when the entire national budget was lower than what is currently shared monthly.
However, former President Jonathan described the state of emergency as an abuse of power. Speaking over the weekend, he criticized the decision, blaming all arms of government for failing to act in alignment with democratic principles.
“The executive, legislature, and judiciary all know the right thing to do but have refused to do it,” Jonathan lamented, calling for a more constitutional approach to resolving the political crisis in Rivers.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, defended Tinubu’s move, dismissing allegations of a federal takeover of Rivers governance. He insisted that the President acted in accordance with constitutional provisions to restore order, as governance in the state had collapsed due to the political impasse between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State Assembly.
“The President took a very responsible but painful decision. The House of Assembly was non-functional, and the executive was facing serious difficulties. The three arms of government must work together, and we did not have that in Rivers,” Idris explained.
He reassured that the emergency rule would not last longer than necessary and that democratic structures would be restored as soon as normalcy returns.
After days of speculation regarding his whereabouts following the emergency declaration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara made his first public appearance at a church service in Port Harcourt. He was accompanied by prominent political figures and stakeholders from the state, attending a special prayer and thanksgiving session led by Pastor David Ibiyeomie.
Though he refrained from making any public statements, his presence reassured supporters of his continued involvement in the state’s affairs.
As debates over the emergency rule continue, stakeholders and political analysts are keenly observing how the situation unfolds. The federal government maintains that its intervention was necessary to prevent an escalation into full-blown anarchy, while critics argue that the move undermines democratic processes.
With Rivers State at the center of national discourse, the coming weeks will determine whether the emergency declaration fosters peace or fuels further political unrest.
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