Rivers’s State of Emergency: Who Advised the President?

In a shocking and controversial development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, raising concerns over the political and economic ramifications of such a drastic move.

The decision has ignited a firestorm of debate, with many questioning the wisdom behind the declaration. Among the most vocal critics is Senator Babafemi Ojudu, CON, who expressed deep concerns about the implications of the action.

Reacting to the news, Ojudu lamented that Tinubu’s advisers might have led him down a dangerous path. He described the move as reckless and unnecessary, warning that it could have dire consequences for both the administration and the nation.

“How could the President willingly walk into a raging inferno with his eyes wide open? No, no, no… this must be the work of fifth columnists. The Tinubu I once knew would not have made such a reckless and unnecessary decision,” he stated.

Ojudu argued that the political crisis in Rivers State does not warrant such an extreme measure. Instead, he suggested that the President should have acted as a mediator between the two political figures at the center of the dispute—one of whom is his own appointee.

“What will it benefit you, Mr. President, to keep Wike and lose the Nigerian economy?” he questioned.

READ ALSO: Group support Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers

Beyond the political implications, Ojudu warned of the economic disaster that could follow this decision. He pointed to the Niger Delta crisis under former President Muhammadu Buhari, which twice plunged Nigeria into recession.

“Does the President realize that the Niger Delta crisis twice pushed Nigeria into recession under President Muhammadu Buhari? Has he been informed that at one point, Nigeria’s oil production collapsed to below 400,000 barrels per day, down from 2.5 million barrels per day?” Ojudu asked.

He recalled the immense effort it took to restore stability in the oil-producing region, emphasizing that the progress made over the years is now at risk.

The possibility of renewed militancy, pipeline sabotage, and oil bunkering looms large, potentially leading to another economic downturn at a time when Nigeria is already struggling with inflation, unemployment, and a depreciating currency.

“The global oil market is unforgiving. Investors do not wait for internal political conflicts to be resolved. They simply take their capital elsewhere,” he cautioned.

Ojudu also highlighted the strain on Nigeria’s security forces, who are already battling insurgencies and criminal activities across multiple regions. With ongoing conflicts in the North East, North West, and North Central, he warned that opening another front in Rivers State could stretch the military too thin.

“These are the real emergencies. These are the crises that demand decisive leadership. Our soldiers are battling terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers every day. They do not need yet another crisis to divert resources and attention,” he stressed.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to be engaged in political, economic, and security battles all at once. He urged the President to reconsider the decision before it leads to unintended consequences.

Describing a state of emergency as an admission of failure rather than a strategic solution, Ojudu called on President Tinubu to explore alternative approaches to resolving the Rivers State political crisis.

“There are far more effective, far less destructive ways to handle this situation. I urge you, Mr. President, to rethink this decision before irreparable damage is done,” he concluded.