Rivers Emergency Rule: Atiku’s Aide Shares What Could Happen to Governors Tinubu 'No Longer Needs’

• Ademola Olarewaju, an aide to Atiku Abubakar, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state
• Olarewaju criticised President Tinubu for suspending Governor Fubara and siding with the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike
• Speaking exclusively with Legit.ng, Olarewaju explained how Tinubu's actions threatened democracy and other governors' positions who do not align with his political agenda

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Ademola Olarewaju, special assistant to Atiku Abubakar on digital media strategy, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state, describing it as a "constitutional overreach."

Olarewaju accused Tinubu of political bias and warned that the move signals a dangerous precedent that could threaten other governors' positions in the future.

Legit.ng reported that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, March 18, citing political tensions and security concerns.

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The declaration led to the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers governor, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly.

Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for six months.

To make matters more interesting, Lateef Fagbemi, the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, on Wednesday, March 19, absolved Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of any wrongdoing in the protracted political crisis in Rivers state.

Fagbemi clarified that Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers state, played no role in the political crisis that led to the state of emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, March 18.

What Tinubu’s move means for other governors

In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng on Sunday, March 23, Ademola Olarewaju, Atiku's aide, strongly condemned the move, adding that it was a threat to democracy and other governors’ security in office.

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Olarewaju told Legit.ng that:

"It was absolutely an overreach. The security situation in Rivers State was not unmanageable or out of the control of Governor Fubara or the President himself working through Fubara, to have warranted the presidential coup on democracy via a State of emergency declaration."

"It was furthermore a constitutional overreach as the constitution did not envisage it to be used in any situation of one-sided political dispute in which Tinubu himself had taken sides against the people of Rivers state.

"In any case, a clear message has now been sent to other Governors that Tinubu may be coming after their seats by extra-constitutional means when he no longer needs them. It not only exposes Tinubu's inability to use his formerly assumed sagacity to resolve disputes, it also exposes that he wants to be a tyrant so badly."

Read more about Rivers emergency rule here:

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Tinubu dragged to court over Fubara's suspension, state of emergency in Rivers

• Rivers emergency rule: “What Wike stands to benefit from Tinubu’s declaration,” Top analyst speaks
• Rivers emergency rule: “What Tinubu’s declaration will cause in Niger Delta region,” analyst speaks
• Rivers emergency rule: Reno Omokri reacts as ex-presidential aide calls for Tinubu’s impeachment
• PDP governors reject Tinubu's suspension of Fubara

Atiku asks Nigerians to resist state of emergency

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday, March 20, asked Nigerians to stand up and defend the country’s democracy by resisting the emergency rule imposed in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu.

The former vice-president spoke in Abuja at a press conference of concerned political leaders.

According to him, it is not only the responsibility of the opposition parties to defend democracy but the duty of everyone to reject the “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng