Emergency rule: Rivers should get same treatment as Plateau, Ekiti — Reno Omokri

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has questioned political figures opposing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that it deserves the same treatment as Plateau and Ekiti.

Sharing his views on his X handle on Tuesday, Omokri recalled that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared states of emergency in Plateau and Ekiti states—first on May 18, 2004, and again on October 19, 2006—there was little to no opposition. 

He argued that the decision was widely accepted at the time.

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He noted that many of those now criticising Tinubu held key positions in government during Obasanjo’s tenure but did not object to his actions.

Omokri stated that there should be no opposition to President Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration, as there was none when Obasanjo implemented the same measure in Ekiti and Plateau.

He wrote: “Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, states of emergency were declared in Plateau and Ekiti states on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, and on Thursday, October 19, 2006.

“Every single presidential candidate in the 2003 election was in government then, either as governors or in other high positions. None of them opposed President Obasanjo then.

“So, why are they complaining when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does the same thing in Rivers State?

“When President Obasanjo declared states of emergency in Plateau and Ekiti, there were no bombing incidents. Meanwhile, in Rivers State, there have been two bomb blasts in less than twenty-four hours.

“There is more than enough justification for a state of emergency in Rivers, and Nigerians should support President Tinubu in maintaining law and order in the country.

“What was sauce for the goose in Plateau and Ekiti states under Obasanjo should be good for the gander in Rivers State under President Tinubu.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE