Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, has praised President Bola Tinubu for swiftly declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying the move was crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement on Friday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Karimi emphasized that suspending the political figures involved in the two factions was a necessary step to help diffuse tensions. He commended the President for acting in the best interest of both Rivers State and the nation, noting that the decision was in line with constitutional provisions.
“President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State offers broader political and economic protections for both the state and the country,” Karimi stated. “No responsible government would sit idly by while a political crisis escalates as we saw in Rivers State. Pipeline bombings had already begun, and the security situation was worsening with rising tension across the state.”
He recalled the “fatherly role” President Tinubu had played in attempting to resolve the crisis since 2023 by trying to mediate between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Despite these efforts, no resolution was reached.
Karimi further detailed the efforts made in 2023, including a meeting at Aso Rock Villa, where an eight-point agenda was agreed upon to settle the conflict. However, he noted that despite expectations for peace, the situation deteriorated, particularly when Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly building and governed the state with only three legislators.
The senator highlighted the worsening situation following the Supreme Court’s judgment, which favored the 27 lawmakers aligned with Minister Wike. This increased the likelihood of the governor’s impeachment, leading to potential destruction, loss of life, and economic damage.
“With bombings already underway, it was clear that Rivers State was on the brink of greater chaos. No responsible President would allow that to happen,” Karimi said.
He also mentioned the positive steps taken by the current administration to boost daily crude oil production to around 1,800 barrels, contributing to Nigeria’s economic recovery under the government’s renewed hope projects.
He argued that delaying action would have only exacerbated the crisis, noting that President Tinubu intervened at the right time, with legal backing for his actions.
Karimi also drew a distinction between the current situation in Rivers and the emergency declarations in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He clarified that the latter were motivated by security concerns related to Boko Haram insurgency, while the Rivers crisis was primarily political.
“It was the right thing to suspend the political actors from both factions to ease tensions. Nigerians should recognize and appreciate the President’s timely intervention,” he concluded.
Karimi reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm, as the National Assembly had indicated the emergency rule could be reviewed once conditions in the state began to normalize.