Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi Condemns Rivers State Emergency Declaration

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. In a post on social media, Obi described the move as unconstitutional and reckless, accusing the President of undermining Nigeria’s democracy. He argued that the political crisis in Rivers did not justify such extreme measures and urged the National Assembly to resist what he called a dangerous attack on democratic principles.  

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also condemned the President’s decision, calling it an assault on democracy. In a statement, Atiku accused President Tinubu of manipulating the political situation in Rivers for personal gain. He insisted that Tinubu’s administration must take responsibility for the crisis and described the state of emergency as unjustly punishing the people of Rivers State.  

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The state of emergency was declared on Tuesday during a nationwide broadcast by President Tinubu. The move suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. The President said the decision was necessary to restore order following the prolonged political crisis in the state.  

Critics have argued that the action bypasses constitutional processes, with both Obi and Atiku warning that it could deepen political instability and undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress.