President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has reignited calls for self-determination among the Ijaw ethnic group in the Niger Delta and intensified political debates across the nation.
The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Benjamin Okaba, expressed dissatisfaction with the move, viewing it as another blow to the Ijaw people. He stated that while the issue would be discussed at a wider stakeholders’ meeting, many Ijaw people felt the declaration was an unjust act. Okaba questioned why President Tinubu had not utilized opportunities to call Minister Nyesom Wike to account for his actions, especially given Wike’s own statements about making governance impossible for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara unless he complied with Wike’s terms.
“Wike’s goal is clear, to capture power in Rivers State, and this will inevitably harm the people of the state,” Okaba said. He also pointed out that President Tinubu’s decision seemed lopsided, as Wike, who has been a major antagonist in the crisis, was not held accountable. He argued that if Wike and the federal appointees from Rivers were not removed, they would continue to stir the political chaos, undermining the stability of the region.
The former president of the Delta State Customary Court, Miakpor Emiaso, also weighed in, expressing concern that the president’s language in declaring the emergency reflected subtle political bias. He noted that the absence of any mention of Wike’s influence in the crisis raised questions about fairness in the declaration. Emiaso cautioned that the six-month duration of the emergency rule was excessive, especially with the appointment of a retired military officer as the state’s sole administrator. This, he argued, could worsen the situation rather than restore order.
The former president of the Ijaw Youth Council Chris Ekyor, similarly criticized the president’s actions, describing the state of emergency as a response to political maneuvering by Wike. He lamented that Wike’s provocations, such as insulting the Ijaw people and allegedly inciting violence, had been ignored, leading to a situation where the president declared an emergency. Ekyor questioned the rationale behind the state of emergency, citing concerns about the constitutional implications of the move and its impact on the Ijaw people.
A former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, also expressed his dismay, arguing that Nigeria’s political conflicts had shifted from ideological differences to personal rivalries, eroding the country’s democratic values. Hashim cautioned President Tinubu to exercise greater wisdom and fairness, emphasizing that the people of Rivers State would gain nothing from the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and Wike. He called for a peaceful resolution, stressing that Nigeria’s stability depended on leaders prioritizing national development over political squabbles.
In a significant development, the House of Representatives rejected the idea of the Federal Executive Council overseeing the actions of the appointed administrator, reinforcing the importance of legislative oversight in maintaining democratic accountability. Hashim praised this stance, highlighting that the National Assembly’s role in the process would ensure transparency and fairness.
The state of emergency in Rivers State has sparked widespread reactions, with many political leaders and legal experts questioning its constitutionality. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concern over the suspension of democratic institutions, while the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has condemned the move as an attack on Nigeria’s federal structure. The situation remains tense, with political leaders urging the president to take a more balanced and measured approach to ensure peace and stability in Rivers State and beyond.
