Controversy trails State of Emergency in Rivers as experts debate legality, necessity

A heated debate has emerged following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis.

At a webinar organized by Nigerian NewsDirect titled State of Emergency in Rivers: Restoring Order or Encroaching on Democracy, speakers expressed contrasting views on the decision’s legitimacy and implications.

Former Osun State Special Adviser Jamiu Olawumi defended the move, describing it as a necessary intervention to curb escalating violence and political turmoil.

He blamed the crisis on internal conflicts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arguing that Tinubu’s action was not an attack on democracy but rather an effort to stabilize the state.

However, former Senator Babafemi Ojudu strongly opposed the emergency rule, calling it unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent.

He argued that the federal government should have pursued democratic means to address the crisis rather than imposing emergency governance.

Ojudu also criticized the lack of security autonomy for state governors, insisting that the federal government bears responsibility for the state’s instability.

With opinions sharply divided, the declaration continues to spark national debate, raising concerns over its impact on governance, democracy, and political power struggles in Rivers State.