When they say, "do not throw a stone in the market square", many people do not understand these adage. The stones that Tinubu once threw have unfortunately landed on his door steps as
more reactions trail President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of
emergency in Rivers State, a look into his past statements had revealed a
striking contradiction to the president's stance.
Before
assuming office, Tinubu vehemently opposed similar declarations by former
Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, describing them as
"dangerous, unconstitutional, and a threat to democracy."
Tinubu,
while in opposition, warned that such measures were a ploy to weaken elected
state governments and suppress political opponents.
Now,
as President, he has followed the same path by suspending Rivers State Governor
Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state
House of Assembly, appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as the state's
Administrator.
ON
EMERGENCY RULE IN PLATEAU STATE DECLARED BY OLUSEGUN OBASENJO
In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State and removed Governor Joshua Dariye. Tinubu, then the governor of Lagos State, slammed the move as illegal and abused power.
ON EMERGENCY RULE IN EKITI STATE
DECLARED BY OLUSEGUN OBASENJO
In
2006, Obasanjo imposed emergency rule in Ekiti State, suspending Governor Ayo
Fayose over allegations of corruption. Tinubu and other opposition leaders
denounced the act as undemocratic.
ON EMERGENCY RULE IN BORNO, YOBE
AND ADAMAWA STATE DECLARED BY GOODLUCK JONATHAN
In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan could no longer endure the brutal attacks and loss of properties in a press conference declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, admits the escalating Boko Haram insurgency. Tinubu, who then was the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), issued a scathing statement condemning Jonathan's action.
He
described it as "a dangerous trend in the art of governance," he
further stated that, "the body language of the Jonathan administration
leads any keen watcher of events to the unmistakable conclusion of a
surreptitious but barely disguised intention to muzzle the elected governments
of these states for what is a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic
partisanship geared towards 2015."
Tinubu
was full of irritation and maintained that the federal government was setting a
precedent that could lead to chaos. "The present scenario playing out in
the country reminds one of the classical cases of a mediocre craftsman who
continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to
look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting," he held.
He
further advised that imposing a state of emergency would radicalise communities
and lead to more significant unrest, stating, "An army which invades a
community maiming, raping, and killing defenceless civilians will end up
radicalizing the youths whose parents and young ones have been wiped out most
cowardly and recklessly."
According
to Tinubu, Jonathan's declaration of emergency rule was "a potentially
destructive path to take." He called on Nigerians to resist any move that
"seeks to abridge or has the potential of totally scuttling the
constitutional functions of Governors and other elected representatives of the
people."
Notwithstanding
his past opposition, it now a shocker that Tinubu afterward is now journeying
through the route he once criticized. In a nationwide broadcast, he declared a
state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the elected governor, his
deputy, and all lawmakers. He justified his decision by citing security
concerns and Governor Fubara's failure to rebuild the State House of Assembly
after its demolition.
"The
governor of Rivers State demolished the House of Assembly but has failed to
rebuild the building till date," Tinubu said. "Many Nigerians have
intervened, and leaders of thought have intervened, all to no avail. The
Supreme Court pronounced in very glaring terms that a government cannot run
without an arm of government."
He
also cited reports of oil pipeline vandalism in the state, claiming that Fubara
had failed to act. "Based on Section 305 of the constitution of the
country, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs
Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are
hereby suspended for an initial period of six months."
Tinubu's
decision has sparked outrage, with critics pointing out the glaring hypocrisy.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has described it as "a coup staged
against Nigerians."
The
party's National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, condemned Tinubu, stating,
"Nigerians can recall that the same Tinubu wrote a lengthy epistle in 2013
blasting former President Goodluck Jonathan when he declared the same in some
northern states. The hypocrisy of Tinubu stinks! Only cowards behave in this
backward manner."
Political
analysts argue that Tinubu's emergency rule in Rivers is politically motivated.
It targets Governor Fubara, who has been in a long-standing rift with his
predecessor and Tinubu's ally, Nyesom Wike.
Nigerians
are watching closely as the situation in Rivers unfolds, with many wondering if
this will set a new precedent for federal overreach in state affairs.
The vocal point in all these is how Tinubu who was once an attacking opponent of emergency rule, now romances the tactics he once decried.
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