Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a move driven by political interests rather than genuine concern for stability.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Atiku accused Tinubu of being a partisan actor in the state’s ongoing political crisis, alleging that his administration either enabled or failed to prevent the unrest.
“His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful,” Atiku stated.
He also blamed the President for security breaches that led to the destruction of federal infrastructure in Rivers, insisting that the responsibility rests solely on Tinubu’s government.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility,” he said, adding that punishing the people of Rivers for political disputes was an attack on democracy.
Atiku further accused Tinubu’s administration of undoing the peace that was achieved in the Niger Delta under former President Umaru Yar’Adua, claiming that the region has been thrown back into an era of instability and violence.
He urged Nigerians to reject what he described as a political scheme, warning against using the Rivers crisis for partisan purposes.
