By Our Reporter
Reactions have continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s recent removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, alongside the declaration of a state of emergency, in the wake of the two-year political crisis ravaging the state.
Political analysts and many Nigerians have sharply criticized the move, calling it a “faux pas” given that, as governor of Lagos State, Tinubu had condemned similar actions taken by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2004, when Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State under Governor Joshua Dariye, Tinubu had vocally opposed it, calling the decision “illegal.”
Today, with the boot on the other foot, many argue that President Tinubu is not adhering to his professed commitment to democracy. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Tinubu imposed the state of emergency on Rivers State, dissolving the elected governor and all members of the state assembly for a period of six months. In their place, he appointed a sole administrator—former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired)—to oversee the state. This move has caused widespread political unrest, not only within Rivers State but across Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the decision as politically motivated and made in bad faith. In a statement on Facebook, 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 refusal—or calculated negligence—in preventing this escalation is disgraceful.”
Atiku further added, “Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent. Under his 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.”
Critics argue that the federal government’s involvement in Rivers State is rooted in political gamesmanship rather than genuine concern for the state’s welfare. They emphasize that Tinubu is punishing the people of Rivers State to settle scores with Fubara, a political rival, in a way that undermines the democratic process.
Legal experts, including Chief Bode George, have voiced concerns over the legality of the declaration, urging Tinubu to reverse his decision for the sake of preserving democracy. George expressed shock at the president’s actions, calling the declaration an “absolute armageddon” and “recklessness of the highest order.” He also questioned why a state of emergency had not been declared in Lagos State when lawmakers there had clashed, pointing to a double standard in the application of such measures.
“What type of democracy is this in 2025?” George asked. “This is how it started in 1962 and 1983. This is a dress rehearsal for what Tinubu wants to do in 2027.”
Governor Fubara, in his response, has called for calm amidst the political turmoil, assuring Rivers State residents that democracy will prevail. He has vowed to continue advocating for the people’s rights and for the rule of law.
As the situation unfolds, Nigerians are calling on President Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to democracy by acting fairly and transparently. How this political drama will play out in the coming weeks remains to be seen. The nation watches closely as the government’s next steps could have profound implications for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
With additional reports from Vanguard