The All Progressives Congress (APC) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State, calling the move a critical step toward safeguarding democracy and the nation’s economy. The ruling party further urged the president to take similar action in Osun State, where local government administration has been brought to a standstill.
The announcement of the State of Emergency in Rivers State has sparked a mix of reactions, but the APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has defended the president’s decision, describing it as both timely and necessary. Speaking from Saudi Arabia, Basiru said that President Tinubu’s action demonstrated leadership and a commitment to resolving the political turmoil in Rivers without allowing the state to slip into further instability.
“The decision of Mr. President is a welcome one. It is a decision to salvage democracy and save Rivers from becoming a failed state,” Basiru told TheSun.ng in an interview. “The President has shown that he is a statesman; he has shown that he is not partisan in the matters of Rivers State.”
Rivers State, which is located in the southern part of Nigeria, has experienced significant political unrest in recent times. The crisis in the state has been largely driven by internal power struggles and disputes within the political leadership. According to Basiru, the ongoing political instability had reached a point where it was beginning to negatively affect the state’s governance and, by extension, its economic contributions to Nigeria. The state is home to the country’s oil industry, and any disruption in its governance could have far-reaching consequences for the national economy.
Rivers State has long been an important player in Nigeria’s economic landscape due to its vast oil reserves. However, the state’s political environment has often been characterized by intense competition between various factions, particularly among politicians vying for control of state resources. In recent months, the situation has escalated with accusations of political manipulation, judicial interference, and widespread insecurity.
The call for a State of Emergency came as violence, and governance breakdowns in the state, threatened the safety and well-being of its citizens. By invoking this constitutional provision, President Tinubu has made a clear statement of intent to restore order and ensure that Rivers does not fall further into chaos.
Basiru emphasized that the State of Emergency was justified given the significance of Rivers to Nigeria’s broader economic health. “In view of the significance of Rivers State to the Nigerian economy, we cannot allow the situation to degenerate to the extent that it can affect the overall economic well-being of the Nigerian people. It is a signal that the President will not tolerate illegality,” he said.
Not everyone agrees with the president’s decision, especially in legal circles. Some lawyers have raised concerns about the constitutionality of the move, particularly regarding the suspension of a sitting governor. Critics argue that such an action might exceed the president’s constitutional powers and could set a dangerous precedent for future political interventions.
However, Basiru dismissed these concerns, arguing that the broader interests of the country and the welfare of the people in Rivers State should take precedence over narrow legal interpretations. “If some lawyers are saying that Mr. President lacks the power to suspend a sitting state governor, do they want Nigeria to be destroyed before he can invoke the relevant constitutional provision?” Basiru asked.
He also noted that, historically, the Nigerian government has taken extraordinary steps in times of national crisis. “We should not forget that a doctrine of necessity was invoked to draft Goodluck Jonathan into power,” Basiru pointed out, referring to the circumstances under which Jonathan became president following the illness of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010.
“In a situation where the stability of a state or the nation is threatened, would necessity, rule of law, and the sanctity of life not dictate that such a decision should be taken?” Basiru further questioned.
He strongly defended the president’s action, calling it a “sound decision” that any leader who prioritizes the security and welfare of the people of Rivers State would have made. “Would he have allowed the state to go into anarchy and become another Somalia because of constitutional interpretation by some people?” he asked.
While expressing support for the State of Emergency in Rivers, Basiru also appealed to the president to consider extending similar measures to Osun State. He argued that the local government administration in Osun has been paralyzed, despite a ruling by the Court of Appeal and the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation.
According to Basiru, the situation in Osun has become untenable, with the state’s government refusing to recognize the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which favored the reinstatement of elected local government officials. The refusal to implement this decision, Basiru claims, has effectively grounded the local government system in the state, undermining governance at the grassroots level.
“We also want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to also declare the same State of Emergency in Osun State,” Basiru said. “The government has grounded local government administration despite the Court of Appeal decision and the advice by the Attorney General.”
The local government crisis in Osun State stems from a prolonged power struggle between the state government and the opposition. In addition to the legal conflicts, Basiru highlighted the social and economic ramifications of the crisis, which has left local communities without proper governance structures.
While the APC has voiced strong support for President Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers, it remains to be seen how the other political parties and legal experts will respond. The opposition may challenge the decision in court, and some observers are already questioning the long-term impact of such an unprecedented move on Nigeria’s political landscape.
The president’s decision to declare a State of Emergency is likely to remain a point of contention in the months ahead, but for now, it stands as a bold statement of intent to preserve order and stability in a state facing significant challenges.
As the situation unfolds, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how President Tinubu manages the growing political crises in Rivers and Osun, and whether similar actions will be taken in other states grappling with internal political instability.
For now, the focus is on Rivers, as the federal government steps in to address the mounting issues threatening to destabilize the state and, by extension, Nigeria’s political and economic future.
