Tinubu’s Justification for State of Emergency in Rivers State

The Tinubu Media Support Group supports President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the need to restore order amid persistent political unrest. The group argues that prior interventions and a Supreme Court ruling were not heeded by local political factions, prompting the President’s decisive action. They view this as a critical measure to prevent further chaos and violence in the region.

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has asserted that President Bola Tinubu is justified in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State to prevent further unrest. The group contends that the intelligence available to the President warranted this decisive action, including the temporary suspension of democratic institutions for six months due to the ongoing political crisis.

As stated by TMSG, despite interventions from the President and a Supreme Court ruling, both political factions in Rivers State have displayed a reluctance to cooperate. In a statement signed by Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group emphasized that the President’s intervention was necessary to restore security, stability, and order.

Their position reflects a proactive approach taken by President Tinubu to diffuse tensions, following failures by both political sides to honor a peace agreement brokered by him in December 2023. This deal included commitments to recognize the 2024 budget and cease impeachment plans, which were ultimately disregarded, leading to further unrest.

Intriguingly, the group highlighted recent violence, including an explosion on the Trans-Niger Pipeline, as a reaction to the political strife and a strong indicator of the need for extraordinary measures. TMSG believed that intervention was crucial for averting a collapse of governance in Rivers State amid ongoing disagreements among state leaders.

Furthermore, TMSG compared President Tinubu’s actions to those taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan during his tenure, stressing that Tinubu’s declaration was focused on restoring governance rather than simply addressing security concerns. They called for all parties to reflect during the state of emergency and consider previous mediation efforts.

In summary, the Tinubu Media Support Group has expressed strong support for President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The group’s analysis reflects concerns about political unrest and indicates a need for constitutional intervention to restore order. They highlighted the necessity of evaluating prior agreements and urged both factions to embrace reconciliation efforts.

Original Source: nannews.ng