State of Emergency in Rivers is a Political Manipulation, Carried Out in Bad Faith – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the announcement of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it an affront to democracy that warrants strong condemnation.
In a statement on his verified Facebook account, the former vice president asserted that the declaration is a politically motivated act executed in bad faith.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu cannot escape accountability for the turmoil his administration has either facilitated or failed to avert in Rivers State.
Atiku further argued that if federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President should accept full responsibility, rather than imposing a state of emergency that punishes the citizens of Rivers State.
He stated, “The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is indicative of political manipulation and a clear lack of good faith.
“Anyone observing the ongoing crisis can see that Bola Tinubu has been an active participant in the political unrest affecting Rivers. His blatant refusal—or deliberate negligence—to prevent this escalation is utterly disgraceful.
“Moreover, the serious security breaches that have resulted in the unacceptable destruction of national infrastructure in the state are directly attributable to the President.
“Tinubu cannot avoid accountability for the disorder his administration has either allowed or failed to address.
“It is an inexcusable failure that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Niger Delta has regressed into a period of violent unrest and instability, reversing the hard-earned peace established by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly undone in the pursuit of self-serving political agendas.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President must take full responsibility. Subjecting the people of Rivers State to a state of emergency merely to further the political maneuvering between the governor and Tinubu’s allies in the federal government is nothing short of an attack on democracy and must be condemned.”
