Reactions are pouring in over President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, a move that has seen Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly suspended for six months.

The President’s decision, which grants him control over the state’s affairs, has sparked widespread controversy and debate. Many are questioning the constitutionality of the move, while others are expressing concerns about the potential implications for democracy and governance in the state.

This drastic measure comes amidst a protracted political crisis in the state, which has been simmering for months. The crisis is reportedly linked to a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT

The state of emergency declaration grants the President the power to suspend normal constitutional procedures to regain control and ensure public order and safety.

In his nationwide broadcast Tuesday evening, Tinubu nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period.

The president stated that the governor was unable to control the initial explosion. Therefore leaving the state vulnerable, forcing him to invoke Section 305(5) of the 1999 constitution.

Recent History

In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, suspended Governor Joshua Dariye and the House of Assembly for six months, and installed a military administration.

In the year 2006, again Olusegun Obasanjo declared State of Emergency in Ekiti State, where he removed Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi and replaced them with retired Army General, Tunji Olurin for a period of six months.

In the 2013 event, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States due to Boko Haram, but he didn’t suspend democratic structures.

The development in Rivers has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, who argued the situation doesn’t warrant a State of Emergency.

They wondered why such drastic action was not visited on states where lives are lost daily to bandits and herdsmen but a state where no one has died, and the tension is only a cold war between a political godfather and his godson.

Action political, in bad faith – Atiku

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, described it as political manipulation done in outright bad faith.

In a statement via his X handle (formerly Twitter), Atiku said, “Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.

“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.

“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.”

Tínubu pacifying criminals – Sowore

Also reacting, the 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, said the Tínubu was using the “State of Emergency to pacify his criminals”

Reacting through his X account, the activist wrote: “WAKE-UP CALL: A state of emergency should be declared on the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime, and Nigerians must recognize that the time for such action IS NOW!”

Another Blunder – Ude

A veteran journalist and social commentator, Jackson Ude, was of the opinion that the imposition of a State of Emergency in Rivers was yet another blunder that portrays the President as lacking the proper advice on serious matters of national security.

“The crisis in Rivers State is caused by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the State Governor, Sim Fubara. Both men are responsible for the unending political impasse in the state and should be punished for it.

“Singling out Fubara for suspension and leaving Wike to remain as a Minister, portrays the President as one taking side. Without a Wike, who assume himself as the godfather of Fubara, there won’t have been any crisis in Rivers State.

“Wike has used his membership of the FEC as a Minister in Tinubu’s Government to undermine Fubara. Fubara was simply reacting to Wike’s schemes and protecting his office. It is wrong for Fubara to suffer suspension alone for what himself and Wike has done to Rivers State.”

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear, the recent developments in Rivers State has sent shockwaves throughout Nigeria, and the repercussions are only just beginning.

Atiku, Sowore, others react as Tinubu takes control of Rivers