President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State has continued to receive support, with Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, backing the move while criticizing former President Goodluck Jonathan for opposing it.
Speaking on Sunday at the launch of the 125-kilometre Benin-Auchi road project, Okpebholo dismissed Jonathan’s condemnation of the emergency declaration, arguing that the former president’s lack of decisive action during his tenure undermines his criticism.
Okpebholo: “Tinubu Took a Proactive Step”
The Edo governor accused Jonathan of failing to act swiftly during his presidency, citing the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction as an example.
“The man criticizing President Tinubu did not take a similar step when he heard that they were going to kidnap the Chibok girls in 2014. It is better for a President to be proactive. The single decision taken by President Tinubu saved the economy of Nigeria,” Okpebholo stated.
He defended Tinubu’s emergency declaration as a necessary measure to preserve national security and economic stability, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
“What President Tinubu did in Rivers State is a welcome development to ensure peace in the Niger Delta,” he added.
Defense of Tinubu’s Economic Vision
Governor Okpebholo also linked the emergency action to protecting Nigeria’s vital oil infrastructure, questioning critics who expected Tinubu to remain passive while crude oil pipelines in Rivers State were being attacked by militants.
“When crude oil pipelines in Rivers State were being blown by militants, what did Nigerians expect Mr. President to do for the nation’s economic sustenance?” he asked.
He further compared economic policies under Jonathan’s administration and Tinubu’s leadership, noting that Nigeria’s annual budget under Jonathan was ₦1.6 trillion, a figure that now matches the monthly allocation from the Federation Account under Tinubu.
“When Jonathan was Nigeria’s President, the country’s total annual budget was not more than ₦1.6 trillion, but ₦1.6 trillion is what we are sharing monthly in this nation today. That is a man that has vision,” Okpebholo remarked.
Jonathan’s Criticism of Tinubu’s Action
Former President Goodluck Jonathan had, on Saturday, voiced strong opposition to Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that such actions could damage Nigeria’s global reputation. However, Tinubu’s supporters, including Okpebholo, argue that the decision was necessary to maintain peace and stability in the region.
As the debate over the emergency declaration continues, the move has sparked discussions about governance, national security, and economic priorities in Nigeria.
