Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has questioned Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that there was no justification for such a move.
He further slammed the National Assembly for endorsing the proclamation, describing it as an insult to Nigerians.
On Tuesday, Tinubu nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs after suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, Utomi insisted that the crisis in Rivers did not warrant emergency rule, noting that even during periods of severe militant activity in the state, such drastic measures were not imposed.
The former presidential candidate further questioned why the president did not declare a state of emergency in Lagos when the House of Assembly was embroiled in a leadership crisis involving Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his colleagues.
“What is the problem in Rivers State that warranted a state of emergency? When pipelines were blowing up like popcorn in Rivers State, was there a state of emergency?” he asked.
Utomi suggested that the decision to single out Rivers State lacked fairness, equity, and decency.
“Why did he not declare a state of emergency in Lagos State when the assembly was running back and forth? Why Rivers? There’s something about fairness, equity, and pure decency, and I don’t see it here.
It’s a shame that they want to rubbish the democracy that we all fought so hard for,” he stated.
He also criticised the National Assembly’s approval of Tinubu’s decision, arguing that it undermined democratic principles. According to him, the lawmakers’ endorsement was not in the best interest of the Nigerian people and set a dangerous precedent for governance.
