Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He accuses Tinubu of political manipulation and negligence, linking the unrest and infrastructure damage to the president’s inaction. Atiku highlights the failure to maintain peace in the Niger Delta, calling it an unacceptable consequence of political gamesmanship.
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, a decision prompted by ongoing political unrest and the bombing of pipeline infrastructure. Atiku described the president’s actions as indicative of political manipulation and bad faith, blaming him for the critical situation in the region.
Atiku took to X to express his disapproval after Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly during a nationwide broadcast. According to the president, the crisis in Rivers had rendered the state stagnant, hindering good governance, and required immediate intervention.
Tinubu expressed his distress over the political challenges and highlighted the ongoing instability caused by the demolished House of Assembly. He justified the declared state of emergency by stating that it was essential to restore governance and peace. Consequently, he suspended Fubara from office to facilitate this change.
In his response, Atiku condemned the president for allowing the crisis to worsen instead of intervening earlier. He asserted that Tinubu’s involvement in the political turmoil was evident, and attributed the recent violence and infrastructure damage directly to the president’s inaction.
Moreover, Atiku emphasized the regrettable return of unrest in the Niger Delta, asserting that it was a significant failure on the part of the president. He lamented that the peaceful conditions established by former President Umaru Yar’Adua have been undone due to political maneuvers and called into question the motives behind punishing the people of Rivers State.
In conclusion, the tensions surrounding the state of emergency in Rivers State have prompted severe criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who holds President Bola Tinubu accountable for exacerbating the political crisis. Atiku’s remarks emphasize the governmental responsibilities concerning stability and demand accountability in addressing the unrest that threatens the region’s security and governance.
Original Source: allafrica.com
