A former President of the Nigeria and African Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, warning that the decision could have dire economic and political consequences for the nation.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ogundipe described the declaration as a “disservice” to the country, arguing that the crisis in Rivers State should have been resolved politically rather than through emergency rule.
He questioned the advice that led to Tinubu’s decision, warning that it could plunge the country into further instability.
“Mr. President, should we not count the cost before making such a proclamation? Rivers State is an economic hub, and escalating this crisis could push investors away, weaken the oil sector, and create avoidable economic turmoil,” he said.
Ogundipe recalled how similar conflicts in the Niger Delta under former President Muhammadu Buhari nearly drove Nigeria into recession, with oil production dropping drastically due to militant activities and pipeline sabotage.
He cautioned that a renewed crisis in Rivers could lead to similar setbacks, further worsening the country’s struggling economy.
He also criticized Tinubu’s handling of the situation, stating that the president’s intervention should have focused on holding political actors accountable rather than suspending democratic governance in the state.
He particularly called for the removal of a minister allegedly involved in the crisis.
“If democracy is suspended in a state, what message are we sending to those we accuse of undermining it?” he asked, urging Tinubu to take immediate steps to halt further escalation of the crisis.
Ogundipe warned that Nigeria cannot afford another major crisis, especially when parts of the North remain under siege by bandits and insurgents.
He stressed that if not reconsidered, the Rivers situation could mirror the political chaos of the 1962 crisis that contributed to Nigeria’s first military coup.
He appealed to Tinubu to reverse the proclamation and seek a political solution to prevent further economic and security challenges.
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