Kogi Senator Backs Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers, Calls It Necessary

Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West has praised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a necessary move to safeguard the nation’s economy and political stability.

In a statement issued in Lokoja on Friday, Karimi emphasized that Tinubu’s intervention aligned with the constitution and served the best interests of both Rivers State and Nigeria. He highlighted that suspending key political figures from both factions was crucial in reducing tensions.

“President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State has significant political and economic safeguards for both the state and the country at large,” Karimi stated.

He pointed to growing security concerns in Rivers, including pipeline bombings and increasing instability, as key reasons for the President’s action.

“No President or government worth its name would fold its arms and watch a political situation deteriorate as we saw in Rivers State. We witnessed pipeline bombings, increasing insecurity, and an environment of fear. The President had to act,” he said.

Karimi recalled Tinubu’s previous efforts to mediate between the warring factions, including the 2023 peace meeting at Aso Rock Villa, where an eight-point agenda was agreed upon. However, tensions continued to escalate, culminating in the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly and governance by only three legislators.

“With the Supreme Court ruling favoring the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, the crisis escalated, pushing the state toward a dangerous confrontation. Had the President not stepped in, there would have been more destruction, killings, and economic losses for the country,” Karimi warned.

He defended Tinubu’s decision by citing past emergency declarations, such as those imposed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in states affected by Boko Haram insurgency. While those situations were based on security threats, Karimi argued that Rivers’ crisis was primarily political, requiring a different approach.

“It was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in both factions to allow tensions to subside. Nigerians should appreciate the President for his decisive action,” he added.

Karimi assured the public that the National Assembly would assess the emergency rule once stability is restored in Rivers State.