Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Atiku stated that it is a politically motivated decision aimed at furthering the federal government’s interests rather than addressing real security concerns.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu of playing a direct role in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
He asserted that Tinubu’s administration either failed to act or intentionally allowed the situation to deteriorate for political gain.
“The chaos in Rivers did not happen in isolation. Tinubu cannot distance himself from the crisis his government has either enabled or refused to prevent,” Atiku said.
“Declaring a state of emergency to punish the people of Rivers instead of addressing the actual problem is an attack on democracy.”
He further argued that the destruction of federal infrastructure in the state was a direct failure of the federal government, and Tinubu should take full responsibility.
Instead of using emergency rule as a tool for political advantage, Atiku urged the President to prioritize restoring peace and stability without undermining democratic governance.
Atiku also warned that Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta was slipping back into instability, undoing years of progress made under previous administrations.
He called on Nigerians to reject the imposition of emergency rule, describing it as an abuse of power.