A former President ot the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Ogundipe, has described the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu as a disservice and not in Nigeria’s interest.
Reacting to the declaration made by the President Tuesday night, Ogundipe, posited that it is a beginning that will end in a serious catastrophe.
According to him, “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 weep the combatants in the imbroglio to line without fear or favour.”
He stated further, “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 aware 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, 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 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 issues at stake Mr. President should note is not just about any political gladiators. It is about nation’s economic 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.
“For now, the nation cannot afford to 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’s against, bandits, kidnappers and insurgencies.
“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.”
