Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, following months of political turmoil in the state.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Fani-Kayode praised the President’s decision, likening it to a father intervening in a dispute among his children.
He wrote, “The declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State is a bold and commendable move that will restore peace and stability. I also believe it will bring the major players in the crisis back to their senses. When children refuse to stop fighting, the father must step in lest they burn the house down.”
The crisis in Rivers State had escalated in recent weeks, prompting Tinubu to take decisive action. As part of the emergency measures, the president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Announcing the suspension, Tinubu said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
To oversee the state’s affairs, the president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas as Administrator, tasked with restoring order and ensuring governance continues in the interest of Rivers residents.
The declaration has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising it as necessary for stability, while critics argue it raises concerns about executive overreach.