Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007) has strongly criticized the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a politically motivated act of bad faith.
In a statement, Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu of being a partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers, alleging that Tinubu’s failure to prevent the crisis was either deliberate or negligent.
“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor,” Atiku said. “His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.”
Abubakar also held Tinubu accountable for the security breaches that led to the destruction of national infrastructure in Rivers State, calling it an “unforgivable failure.” He warned that the resurgence of violent unrest in the Niger Delta under Tinubu’s administration threatens to erase the peace secured during the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility,” Abubakar stated. “Punishing the people of Rivers State to serve political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is an assault on democracy and must be condemned.”
