Atiku Abubakar, a former Nigerian vice president, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Abubakar accused Tinubu of being a “vested partisan actor” in the state’s political turmoil and criticized his “blatant refusal” to prevent the crisis.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith,” Abubakar said. “Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers.” Abubakar’s statement suggests that Tinubu’s actions are motivated by a desire to gain political advantage rather than address the underlying issues driving the crisis.
The crisis in Rivers State has been escalating, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration facing challenges from the state’s legislature and judiciary. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for violence and instability in the region.
Abubakar’s condemnation of Tinubu’s declaration is not surprising, given his own history of criticizing the president’s handling of political crises. In a previous statement, Abubakar urged the judiciary to avoid actions that could ignite unrest in Rivers State, citing concerns about behind-the-scenes manipulations by individuals aligned with the federal government.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has significant implications for the region’s governance and stability. With Abubakar’s condemnation, the issue is likely to remain a contentious one in Nigerian politics.