Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as an act of “political manipulation and outright bad faith.”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Atiku accused Tinubu of playing a partisan role in the state’s political crisis.
He alleged that the federal government either allowed or failed to prevent the turmoil, which has led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.
“His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful,” Atiku said.
He also blamed Tinubu’s administration for the security breaches that resulted in damage to federal infrastructure in Rivers State.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility,” he stated.
Atiku further argued that Tinubu’s decision unfairly punishes the people of Rivers State rather than addressing the root causes of the crisis.
“Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the Federal Government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he declared.
The former Vice President also accused Tinubu of reversing the relative peace that had been achieved in the Niger Delta under former President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“This administration has thrown the region back into an era of violent unrest and instability,” Atiku said.
He urged Nigerians to reject what he sees as a political ploy, emphasizing that the crisis in Rivers State should not be used as a tool for partisan interests.
