By Jonathan Elendu
The declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18th, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu is a sad episode that does not tell the whole story and will not bring to an end the political brigandage.
This political imbroglio was foisted on Rivers people by selfish, greedy criminal elements masquerading as politicians. I once asked where the statesmen and women of Rivers state were hiding.
The so-called leaders abdicated their responsibilities while fanning flames of disunity, destruction and hardship on the people.
It’s indeed shameful that these men and women could not rise above their base instincts to seek a lasting solution to the political problems of the state. Instead they resorted to inflaming ethnic sentiments. Hubris.
While we debate the legality or lack thereof of the state of emergency, I urge the so-called leaders of Rivers state to hide their heads in shame.
This state of emergency will not lead to real peace but may mask and even execerbate ethnic and political tensions as many view it as a one-sided programme hoisted to delineate victors from the vanquished.
I call on the youths of Rivers state to take up the mantle which their fathers and mothers have clearly abdicated.
For the avoidance of doubt, we must unequivocally state that the political crisis in Rivers State was caused by Chief Nyesom Wike, Gov. Siminalaye Fubara and the so-called elders of Rivers state. Anyone who says otherwise is oceans apart from the truth.
