President Bola Tinubu and Prof Pat Utomi.
Utomi Challenges Tinubu’s State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers
Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, questioning the justification for such a drastic measure.
In a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2024, President Tinubu cited militant attacks on pipelines and the political crisis in Rivers as reasons for the emergency rule. The President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as the state’s Administrator, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, speaking on Channels Television, Prof. Utomi argued that the crisis in Rivers did not warrant such an extreme measure. He noted that even during previous administrations, when militants were actively blowing up pipelines, the state was not placed under emergency rule.
The professor also questioned why Tinubu did not declare a state of emergency in Lagos amid the political turmoil involving Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“What exactly is the crisis in Rivers State that warrants a state of emergency? When pipelines were being blown up like popcorn in Rivers, was there an emergency declaration? Why not Lagos when the Assembly was in disarray? Why Rivers?”
“There’s something called fairness, equity, and basic decency. I don’t see it here. It’s a shame that they are trying to undermine the democracy we all fought so hard for,” he added.
Prof. Utomi also condemned the National Assembly for endorsing Tinubu’s decision, calling it an insult to Nigerians and a threat to democracy.
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