Tinubu's Emergency Declaration In Rivers: A Move That's Raising Eyebrows

Why Governors Should Question Tinubu's Decision

Listen, here's the thing: Diran Odeyemi, who used to be the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is telling governors across the country to stand up and challenge President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This isn't just about Rivers—it's about setting a precedent for the whole nation. It's a big deal, and it's got everyone talking.

According to Naija News, Anabs Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), agrees. He's urging opposition party governors and members of the National Assembly to keep their eyes peeled. Sara-Igbe warns that President Tinubu's actions in Rivers could be the start of something bigger—a move that could affect other states down the line.

Tinubu's Motives Under Scrutiny

In a candid interview with News Central, Odeyemi laid it all out. He said there's no real justification for Tinubu's decision. It's not about security or public safety; it's about politics. Odeyemi believes that Tinubu's move is part of a larger strategy to secure key states ahead of the 2027 elections. It's a chess game, and Rivers is just the first move.

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Now, let's break this down. Odeyemi points out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already suggested that a similar state of emergency should be declared in Osun State. This isn't random—it's part of a pattern. The PDP chieftain argues that this shows the APC's true intentions. It's not about governance or protecting citizens; it's about political gain.

Why Rivers? Why Now?

Here's the thing: Rivers, Lagos, and Kano are the golden trio of Nigerian states. They're not just economically powerful; they're politically crucial. Tinubu knows this, and that's why Rivers is in the spotlight. Odeyemi explains, "For my Ahmed Bola Tinubu, if anything minor is happening in Rivers, and he's seizing that opportunity to take over Rivers, that's the reason why governors and everyone are saying there's not enough evidence or criteria to justify emergency rule."

But it's not just about Rivers. Tinubu's history speaks for itself. As the governor of Lagos, he was against emergency rule. He condemned it, calling it undemocratic. So, why the change of heart? Odeyemi says, "Bola Tinubu, as a governor in Lagos, fought against everything he's doing now. We've read his statements where he absolutely condemned emergency rule. And you'd think, as a democrat, if he ever became president, he'd never repeat the idea of instituting emergency rule anywhere in the country."

Setting a Dangerous Precedent

This isn't just about one state or one president. It's about the future of Nigerian democracy. Odeyemi warns that if Tinubu gets away with this in Rivers, it could lead to more states being targeted. He says, "He's started with Rivers, and if you're concerned with what's happening elsewhere, immediately after it happened in Rivers, even the politicians in Osun, the APC, have started calling for emergency rule in Osun because of mere community clashes. That's what they can't get through the ballot box. They believe they can get it through emergency rule or through the back door."

This is why it's crucial for governors and lawmakers to challenge Tinubu's decision. It's not just about Rivers—it's about protecting the Constitution and ensuring that emergency rule isn't abused. Odeyemi concludes, "It's a good exercise to test the Constitution on the president's right to declare emergency rule anywhere in the country. Because if care isn't taken, and if the Rivers state issue is taken lightly or allowed to go, you can be sure it may extend to other states, even for minor occurrences that don't warrant emergency rule."