Atiku Urges Nigerians to Resist Emergency Rule in Rivers State

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy by rejecting the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday alongside other concerned political leaders, Abubakar condemned the move, describing it as a “brazen assault” on the democratic process. He emphasized that safeguarding democracy is not just the responsibility of the opposition but a collective duty of all Nigerians.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly, with the president appointing a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

Atiku strongly opposed the decision, urging Tinubu to immediately revoke the emergency rule and reinstate the elected officials.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately reverse this unconstitutional proclamation and reinstate the elected governor, deputy governor, and state assembly of Rivers State,” Abubakar said.

He further urged members of the National Assembly to reject the emergency rule when presented for approval.

“The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimize an unconstitutional power grab,” he stated.

Abubakar also called on the judiciary to act swiftly in nullifying the declaration, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the removal of elected governors in the future.

“All civil society organizations, political groups, and Nigerians of good conscience must stand firm in defending our democracy. Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship where an ELECTED GOVERNOR can be replaced with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR,” he added.

The former vice president pointed out that past administrations, even in the face of insurgency and terrorism, never removed elected governors when declaring a state of emergency. He criticized the current administration’s decision as a new low for Nigeria’s democracy.

He also cautioned against reigniting unrest in the Niger Delta, warning that political instability in the region could threaten Nigeria’s economic stability.

“This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile peace and drag the country back into a past we have all worked hard to move away from,” he said.

Abubakar stressed that personal political interests should not be placed above constitutional governance, warning that such actions could plunge the country into chaos.

“This is not just about Rivers State—it is about the future of Nigeria’s democracy,” he concluded.

The press briefing was attended by prominent political figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, among others.