Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an act of “political manipulation and outright bad faith.” In a press statement released on Wednesday, Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu of enabling the political crisis in the oil-rich state and failing to prevent the escalation of violence and destruction of national infrastructure.
Atiku asserted that Tinubu’s role in the unfolding crisis has been far from neutral, labeling him a “vested partisan actor” in the turmoil. He condemned the President’s “blatant refusal — or calculated negligence” to intervene, calling it “disgraceful” and a failure of leadership.
The PDP stalwart also blamed Tinubu for the security breaches that led to the destruction of critical national infrastructure in Rivers State, stating that the responsibility for the chaos “lands squarely on the President’s desk.” He argued that the Tinubu administration has either enabled the crisis or failed to prevent it, making the President directly accountable for the unrest.
Read also: Tinubu declares State of Emergency in Rivers State as political crisis escalates
Atiku expressed deep concern over the resurgence of violent instability in the Niger Delta region, which he said has undone the progress achieved under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration. Yar’Adua’s Amnesty Program, launched in 2009, was widely credited with bringing relative peace to the region after years of militant activity. Abubakar lamented that “years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.”
The former presidential candidate also condemned the alleged use of the state of emergency as a tool to punish the people of Rivers State for the political rivalry between the state governor and Tinubu’s allies in the federal government. He described the move as “an assault on democracy” and called on Nigerians and the international community to condemn it in the strongest terms.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not about restoring order or protecting national assets; it is about political gamesmanship,” Abubakar stated. “Punishing the people of Rivers State to settle political scores is unacceptable and must be resisted by all who value democracy and the rule of law.”
The crisis in Rivers State has escalated in recent weeks, with reports of violent clashes, vandalism of oil pipelines, and a breakdown of law and order. The declaration of a state of emergency has sparked widespread debate, with critics accusing the federal government of overreach and political vendetta.
As tensions rise, Abubakar’s statement adds to the growing calls for accountability and a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The situation in Rivers State remains fluid, with many Nigerians watching closely to see how the federal government will address the mounting challenges in the region.