Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration in Rivers State

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticizes President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, attributing the ongoing political crisis and infrastructure destruction to Tinubu’s partisanship and negligence. Atiku calls for accountability, citing the regression of peace in the Niger Delta under Tinubu’s leadership and warning against the detrimental effects on democracy and citizen welfare.

Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State amid a protracted political crisis that has escalated to the bombing of critical infrastructure. Abubakar condemned the decision as indicative of political manipulation and bad faith, asserting that Tinubu bears responsibility for the ongoing turmoil.

Atiku publicly addressed the issue on X following Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other state officials. In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu expressed his distress over the political crisis, which he stated had stalled governance in Rivers State, particularly noting the incomplete reconstruction of the House of Assembly, demolished fourteen months prior. He insisted that his actions were necessary to restore governance and peace in the region.

In response, Atiku deemed it disgraceful that the President allowed the crisis to worsen, labeling Tinubu as a partisan figure exacerbating the situation. He argued that the ongoing security breaches and the resulting destruction of infrastructure were a direct consequence of the President’s negligence, elevating government responsibility for the unrest caused in the Niger Delta.

Furthermore, Atiku asserted that under Tinubu’s administration, the Niger Delta region has regressed into violence, undoing years of peace achieved by former President Umaru Yar’Adua. He emphasized that the President should be held accountable for both the infrastructure damage and the detrimental impact of political gamesmanship on the citizens of Rivers State. He urged for a repudiation of actions undermining democracy and the welfare of the people.

In summary, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has vehemently condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, attributing the political turmoil and violence to the President’s alleged partisanship and negligence. Atiku calls for accountability regarding the security crises and the impact on the Niger Delta, emphasizing that such actions undermine democracy and harm the populace. Tinubu’s administration faces significant criticism as it navigates this complex political landscape.

Original Source: allafrica.com