Several South-South leaders and stakeholders have condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
They also criticized the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, for fueling the crisis.
A former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, described the emergency rule as ill-advised and unconstitutional.
“The president’s action is not well thought out. The situation in Rivers State does not meet the conditions required by the Constitution for a state of emergency,” he said.
He alleged that the move was part of a larger plan to take control of the state.
“This is part of a script to take over Rivers State. It has been carefully planned and executed step by step,” Nwoko added.
Former Ijaw Youth Council President, Eric Omare, also rejected the move, accusing President Tinubu of being biased in favor of Wike.
“The President’s intervention has been one-sided, encouraging Wike to escalate the crisis,” he said.
Omare questioned why the FCT Minister had not been cautioned or removed despite his role in the crisis.
“An unbiased president should have called Wike to order or even sacked him to show neutrality. But from the beginning, the president has supported Wike, and that has worsened the situation,” he added.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum said it was studying the situation and would soon release its official position.
“PANDEF is seriously alarmed by the declaration of emergency in Rivers State over a crisis that could have been avoided,” said its National Spokesman, Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini.
Former MOSIEND spokesperson, Amaebi Clarkson, described the emergency rule as part of a political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is a political move in bad faith, designed to execute a well-planned script ahead of the next elections,” he said.
He also accused Wike of provoking tensions in Rivers State and questioned the timing of incidents leading up to the emergency declaration.
The Ijaw Youth Council condemned the move, saying it was an attack on the Ijaw people and Rivers citizens.
IYC spokesman, Amb. Binebai Princewill, said:
“Other states have suffered from insecurity and insurgency without emergency rule being declared. This is happening because Rivers State is an Ijaw state.”
He also criticized the government’s failure to address Wike’s role in the crisis.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Charles Idahosa, urged all parties involved to seize the opportunity to resolve their issues.
“Now that a state of emergency has been declared, Governor Fubara, the legislators, and the FCT Minister should sit together and find a way forward,” he said.
He warned that if they failed to do so, the crisis could worsen.
