By Gwurld4026 
Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration in Rivers: Atiku Responds
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “political manipulation and outright bad faith.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku accused President Tinubu of being a “vested partisan actor” in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers State. He alleged that Tinubu’s deliberate refusal or negligence in preventing the escalation of the crisis is disgraceful.
Atiku further held President Tinubu responsible for the security breaches leading to the destruction of national infrastructure in Rivers State, asserting that these incidents occurred under the President’s watch. He expressed concern that the Niger Delta region has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability, undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The former Vice President condemned the punitive measures against the people of Rivers State, urging Nigerians to denounce the political gamesmanship between the federal government and the state. He characterized the declaration of a state of emergency as an assault on democracy that must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Atiku’s remarks come in response to President Tinubu’s announcement earlier on Tuesday, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State due to persistent political crisis and instability. The President also suspended the governor, his deputy, and members of the state assembly, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the state’s administrator.
