Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the federal government’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, labelling it an undemocratic move that must be firmly rejected.
Reacting via his verified Facebook page, Atiku argued that the declaration was driven by political interests rather than genuine concerns for governance and security.
He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of either enabling or failing to prevent the crisis that led to this drastic measure.
Atiku further insisted that if federal infrastructure in Rivers State had been compromised, the responsibility rested solely on the President, not the citizens of the state.
He argued that the government’s decision to impose emergency rules unfairly punishes the people instead of addressing the root causes of the crisis.
“The imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers reeks of political manipulation and bad faith,” Atiku stated. “Tinubu has played an active role in the political unrest in the state.
His refusal—or deliberate negligence—to prevent the escalation of the crisis is a disgraceful failure.”
He also warned that the Niger Delta was returning to an era of instability, undoing the peace efforts of former President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Atiku described the move as a reckless political decision that threatens democracy and must be resisted.
