Political analyst and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of the crisis in Rivers State, arguing that a State of Emergency is justified given recent security concerns.
In a statement titled “What Was Good For Plateau and Ekiti Is Also Good For Rivers,” Omokri recalled that under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, States of Emergency were declared in Plateau and Ekiti on May 18, 2004, and October 19, 2006, respectively.
He noted that key political figures at the time, including presidential candidates from the 2003 election who held various government positions, did not oppose Obasanjo’s decision.
Omokri questioned why the same political figures who remained silent then are now criticizing President Tinubu for taking similar steps in Rivers State.
He pointed out that while there were no bombing incidents in Plateau or Ekiti at the time of those declarations, Rivers State has already witnessed two bomb blasts within 24 hours.
“There is more than enough justification for a State of Emergency in Rivers, and Nigerians should support President Tinubu in maintaining law and order,” he said.
Omokri, who served as a special assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, argued that the same standard applied to Plateau and Ekiti under Obasanjo should also apply to Rivers under Tinubu.
