Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers, Ijaw Leaders Condemn Move, Accuse Wike of Orchestrating Crisis and Call for Self-Determination
President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday has reignited the Ijaw ethnic group’s demand for self-determination in the Niger Delta.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), condemned the move, calling it a “slap” on the Ijaw people. He criticized Tinubu for failing to check Minister Nyesom Wike’s influence in the state, warning that the decision could deepen the crisis.
Okaba accused Wike of attempting to control Rivers State by pressuring Governor Siminalayi Fubara to surrender local government authority and forgo a 2027 re-election bid. He argued that removing only Fubara while leaving Wike and other federal appointees in place was unfair, saying, “Wike must be sacked to prevent further crisis.”
Retired Delta State judge Miakpor Emiaso echoed these concerns, calling Tinubu’s decision politically biased. He noted that the president omitted Wike’s role in the crisis while imposing a six-month emergency rule, which he deemed excessive.
Dr. Chris Ekiyor, former president of the Ijaw Youth Council, criticized the judiciary’s handling of the crisis, particularly the court’s ruling in favor of 27 defected lawmakers. He accused Wike of orchestrating the turmoil while Tinubu stood by, questioning why similar crises in Lagos under past administrations never led to emergency declarations.
With tensions high, the Ijaw community is set to hold a stakeholders’ meeting to determine their next course of action.
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