A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the move as a threat to democracy.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, following escalating political tensions in the oil-rich state.
Momodu, speaking on The Morning Brief program on Channels Television, expressed deep concern over the president’s decision, warning that it could erode Nigeria’s democratic values.
“I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very well. Though I have never been in the same party with him, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for democracy. It is embarrassing that a pro-democracy leader in government is taking actions worse than dictatorship,” he said.
Momodu urged the president to reconsider his stance, cautioning against what he described as the ruling party’s intimidation of the opposition.
“I am openly telling millions of Nigerians that people around Tinubu are deceiving him, and he should not allow it. The only thing that guarantees a second term is good governance, not intimidation,”he added.