MR.PRESIDENT REDRESS THIS DECLARATION. IT IS A DISSERVICE AND IT IS NOT IN THE NATION’S INTEREST- Lanre Ogundipe

This is unbelievable, why would Mr. President allow the darkness pall fall on the nation suddenly with the State of Emergency Declaration in Rivers State? On whose advise is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acting? Definitely, this s a beginning that will end in a serous catastrophe.

State of Emergency! Mr. President should we not count the cost before a proclamation was tinkered? It is not the best solution in the circumstance. The situation is best resolved politically with you as the President wielding the big stick and weeping the combatants in the imbroglio to line without fear or favour.

Mr. President, your courage and boldness this time around is misplaced. What happened? Please do not dance to tune of your government adversaries with this declaration. It’s two steps backwards. I’m sure you are aware of the strategic value of Rivers state in the Niger-Delta region, dancing to the gallery would easily plunge the nation’s economy into further crisis economically. We must be careful.

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The oil sector, internationally are not friendly with Nigeria and if by any slight slip strayed into their hands, we would have ourselves to blame while licking or nursing our wounds. Rivers state is not just a mere state but an economy hub which is our mainstay. Shall we not think twice before using sledge hammer to resolve political crisis?

Escalation in the political crisis on going debacle in Rivers State will push and erase the gains of this administration if you-Mr. President failed to address the issues at stake with the courage and boldness you are noted with over years.

The International oil market is not friendly neither do Investors have the patience to wait for any stakeholders internal conflicts to slow the market down while in search for the solution for the internal crisis to be resolved . They (investors) move to a safe region with their investment to make profit.

The issues that are at stake that Mr. President should note is not just about any political gladiators, it is about nation’s economy and its survival.

Mr. President should be refreshed that the Niger Delta insurgencies rear its head during Buhari administration and it nearly sent the country into recession on two occasions while Nigeria’s oil production dropped below 400,000 barrels per day, from 2.5 million barrels per day? The resultant effects manifested with a sharp decline in production. This was as a result of similar political mismanagement of a conflict in the region.

Buhari administration managed to navigate the turbulence with a deft administrative manoeuvring before it found a way out and stabilsed. Further escalation, in Rivers State saga will lead to sabotage of oil infrastructure, and oil production will go down.

For now, the nation cannot afford too many crisis in its hands, areas that needs, or requires such declaration for State of Emergency are Northern parts of the county where thousands of Nigerian soldiers are still battling for their lives to save the nation against bandits, kidnappers and insurgencies.

Undoubtedly sir, with this development the country risk a renewed pipeline sabotage, illegal oil bunkering, and renewed militant activities and subsequently the economic nosedive to ground zero. With the current economic crunch, it is apparent the nation cannot afford any further excruciating hardship.

If democracy is suspended in a state, with you who is regarded as hero of democracy – what message is being sent to those we accused of incursions? A minister in your cabinet who is a key player in the crisis should not be allowed to stay in office any longer. He must be suspended and relieved of his office functions as well.

It is with grave concern that I plead for a listening ears for a reversion of this proclamation. The fourth republic must not go the way of Wild! Wild West. The crisis started like this in 1962 before it snow-balled.

A word is enough for the wise, Mr.President your swift action is required to halt further exacerbation of the crisis.

Lanre Ogundipe
Former President Nigeria and African Union of Journalists
March 19, 2025