Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state, arguing that the situation had become untenable. Abe explained that the challenges in Rivers had reached a stalemate, making it extremely difficult for government operations to continue effectively.
He made these remarks on Friday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show. The state of emergency declaration, which had faced significant opposition from many Nigerians, was recently approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Abe emphasized that in a democratic system like Nigeria’s, different types of emergencies can arise. He also pointed out that, under Nigerian law, the responsibility for appropriation lies with elected representatives, and without their approval, government disbursements cannot take place. According to him, the situation in Rivers had become so critical that normal governmental processes were practically paralyzed.
The approval of the emergency rule in Rivers has sparked considerable debate, with many Nigerians expressing concern over its potential implications.