Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. In a statement, Abubakar described the move as a “political manipulation” and “bad faith” aimed at serving the interests of the ruling party.

Tinubu’s Role in the Crisis

Abubakar accused Tinubu of being a “vested partisan actor” in the crisis, blaming him for the escalation of violence and destruction of national infrastructure in the state. He criticized Tinubu’s refusal to prevent the crisis, calling it “disgraceful” and an “unforgivable failure” in maintaining peace in the Niger Delta.

Undoing Years of Progress

According to Abubakar, Tinubu’s actions have “recklessly erased” years of progress in the region, which was achieved by late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He lamented that the hard-won peace secured by Yar’Adua has been undone by Tinubu’s administration, throwing the Niger Delta back into an era of violent unrest and instability.

Assault on Democracy

Abubakar emphasized that Tinubu bears full responsibility for the compromised federal infrastructure in Rivers State. He argued that punishing the people of Rivers State to serve political interests is an “assault on democracy” that must be condemned. Abubakar called on Nigerians to reject this move, which he sees as a threat to the country’s democratic values.

Conclusion

Atiku Abubakar’s condemnation of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State highlights the growing concerns about the implications of this move. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the people of Rivers State and the wider Nigerian public will respond to this development. One thing is certain, however: the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has opened up a new chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing political saga.