Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. He accused Tinubu of political manipulation and emphasized that the President’s inaction contributed to the current unrest, damaging governance and safety in the region. Atiku called for accountability regarding the violent unrest in the Niger Delta.
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This action follows a prolonged political crisis that escalated into the bombing of pipeline infrastructure. Atiku deemed the move a clear instance of political manipulation and criticized Tinubu as a partisan actor exacerbating the unrest in Rivers.
The former Vice President expressed his thoughts on X shortly after Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly during a broadcast on March 18, 2025. President Tinubu explained that the political turmoil in Rivers has led to a lack of good governance and asserted the necessity of declaring a state of emergency to restore order.
In response, Atiku expressed frustration at Tinubu’s inaction to prevent the escalation of the crisis. He remarked, “Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers.” Atiku emphasized that the President must take responsibility for the security breaches and the destruction of national infrastructure due to the crisis.
Atiku continued by stating that the worsening situation in the Niger Delta is an unacceptable failure of leadership on Tinubu’s part. He lamented that this regression into violence undermines the previous peace efforts made during President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration. Furthermore, Atiku criticized the punitive measures against Rivers State as detrimental to democracy and asserted that the President must be held accountable for the destabilization of the region.
In conclusion, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, holding him responsible for exacerbating the ongoing crisis and security breaches. Atiku maintained that the political manipulation and neglect under Tinubu’s leadership have detrimental impacts on the region’s stability and governance, asserting the need for accountability in addressing the unrest in Rivers State.
Original Source: allafrica.com
