Ali Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize a state of emergency in the nation’s security and economy rather than focusing on Rivers State. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Daily* on Friday, Ndume argued that the country’s pressing issues lay in these areas, urging the president to take more decisive action in these sectors.
Ndume’s remarks came in response to the president’s controversial decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a prolonged political crisis in the state. The lawmaker expressed his concerns over the move, suggesting that a more strategic and conciliatory approach would have been preferable, rather than taking drastic action that he believes could escalate the situation further.
According to Ndume, Nigeria is facing greater threats in its security and economic sectors, which require urgent and sustained attention. He said, “Let the President forget about everything and concentrate on three things – security, welfare of citizens, and economy. His attention should go there as number 1, then he should create a state of emergency in those areas.”
He highlighted that these two sectors—security and the economy—are critical to the well-being of Nigeria and its citizens. While Rivers State’s political turmoil has captured national attention, Ndume believes the broader challenges facing the country must be tackled before focusing on regional political squabbles.
“Security in the country is deteriorating, the economy is struggling, and the welfare of citizens is at risk. These issues are the ones that require emergency intervention,” Ndume said, stressing the need for the president to address these national concerns rather than diverting resources and attention to the political instability in Rivers State.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the state’s protracted political crisis as the reason. The crisis in Rivers had deepened following a long-standing power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly. This situation reached a boiling point, prompting the president to suspend the governor, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
In addition to suspending the political leadership in the state, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state during the state of emergency. Tinubu’s decision to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which allows for a declaration of a state of emergency in cases of national danger, disaster, or terrorist attack, was met with mixed reactions across the country.
While the president’s proclamation was based on constitutional grounds, Ndume criticized the decision, saying it was an extreme step that failed to consider other available options. He believes that a more effective approach would have been to bring all political stakeholders in Rivers State to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute without resorting to drastic measures like the declaration of emergency rule.
Ndume, who describes himself as a democrat, expressed his surprise at the president’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State. He argued that instead of taking such a drastic measure, the president should have focused on mediating the dispute between the political actors in the state.
“I feel that the President would have worked seriously on bringing them (the political actors) together and solving the problem rather than declaring a state of emergency,” Ndume stated. He went on to suggest that the president should have called all the relevant parties to a meeting, urging them to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than imposing an external solution.
“Call them, sit them down and say, ‘Go and sort your problem.’ How can you ignore the President? When he removed them now, did they ignore the removal?” Ndume questioned, pointing to the possibility of resolving the political crisis through engagement rather than imposition.
In his view, emergency rule should not be the first resort for resolving political conflicts, especially when other mechanisms for dialogue and negotiation exist. He believes that the president’s decision to bypass such efforts has not only exacerbated the situation but also set a concerning precedent for handling political disputes in the country.
Ndume’s comments reflect a broader concern about the lack of political dialogue and cooperation in Nigeria. Over the years, the country has witnessed a series of political crises at the state level, often exacerbated by factionalism, corruption, and the lack of effective communication between political leaders. In many instances, these crises have been resolved through negotiation and compromise rather than through heavy-handed interventions.
The lawmaker’s call for a more democratic approach underscores the importance of dialogue in resolving Nigeria’s political disputes. Rather than using force or emergency powers, Ndume believes that political leaders should be encouraged to seek peaceful solutions through discussions and mutual understanding. This approach, he argues, would contribute to strengthening the democratic process and ensure that the principles of good governance are upheld.
Ndume’s critique of the state of emergency in Rivers State also raises a broader question about Nigeria’s political stability and the role of federalism. While the country’s federal system allows for some degree of regional autonomy, it is clear that national unity and stability should take precedence over regional political disputes.
By calling for a state of emergency in the security and economic sectors, Ndume is urging the president to shift focus to the broader, more pressing issues that affect the entire country. In his view, national security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and terrorism, along with the nation’s struggling economy, are far more urgent than resolving political disagreements in a single state.
The lawmaker’s comments also highlight the growing concern about the erosion of democratic norms in the country, particularly when it comes to the use of emergency powers. While the president’s actions in Rivers State may have been legally justified, Ndume’s call for dialogue emphasizes the need for more measured responses that prioritize the long-term health of Nigeria’s democracy and governance structures.
