By Amofokhai Williams
In a dramatic move to salvage Rivers State from the brink of anarchy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the National Assembly for its swift and patriotic approval of a State of Emergency, warning that the crisis had reached a dangerous tipping point.
The President, in a strongly worded statement on Thursday, commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other lawmakers for putting national security and the welfare of Rivers citizens above partisan politics.
According to Tinubu, the National Assembly’s decisive action came after a thorough review of classified security briefings that painted a grim picture of escalating violence, threats to vital oil and gas installations, and a near-total collapse of governance in the state.
“The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening the security of vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the significant progress we have made in the reforms initiated since our administration commenced in May 2023,” Tinubu warned.
The President revealed that the federal government could not afford to sit idly by as Rivers State spiralled further into chaos. He emphasised that the emergency proclamation was the only viable option to safeguard lives, protect national assets, and restore law and order.
“As I detailed in my address to the nation on 18 March, the near-total collapse of governance, threats to federal economic assets, and the risk of widespread violence left no room for hesitation. This emergency measure is a lifeline to safeguard livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic accountability,” he declared.
Under the six-month emergency rule, a Sole Administrator has been appointed to restore stability, address systemic failures, and foster reconciliation among warring factions.
Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government would continue to work closely with the National Assembly to promote peace, economic resilience, and equitable development across the country.
“Today’s decision exemplifies what our nation can achieve when unity of purpose and patriotism guide the action of leaders. We remain steadfast in pursuing a safer, more prosperous Nigeria—one where every citizen’s potential is safeguarded and nurtured,” he assured.
As Rivers State braces for the impact of emergency rule, Tinubu has called on all stakeholders to support efforts to restore lasting peace, urging Nigerians to rally behind the government’s bold intervention.
