Veteran Nollywood actress and politician, Hilda Dokubo, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing him of attempting to seize control of the state’s economic resources. Dokubo’s comments came after President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
In a national address on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu explained that the state of emergency was necessary due to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers, which has led to disruptions in governance. This move has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the President’s motives behind suspending elected officials.
Dokubo took to her Instagram page to express her disapproval, calling the state of emergency “shameless” and accusing Tinubu of trying to take control of the state’s economic assets. She questioned the necessity of the emergency rule, especially given that the state had enjoyed peace for the past two years, and suggested that it was a move to annex the state. She further criticized the situation, saying that George Orwell’s Animal Farm should be given to every Rivers State citizen as a form of palliative.
Her comments reflect the growing discontent among certain political figures and citizens regarding the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State, as it raises concerns about the motivations behind the decision.