The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s security and economic sectors, saying these are the most pressing issues affecting the country.
Speaking on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme Politics Today, Ndume expressed concern over what he described as the President’s misplaced focus. He pointed out that while President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, he believed the more urgent national crises were being overlooked.
“Let the President forget about everything and concentrate on three things – security, welfare of citizens and the economy. His attention should go there as number 1, then he should create a state of emergency in those areas,” Ndume said during the interview.
Ndume, who described himself as a committed democrat, said he was surprised by the President’s decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State. He referred to the move as a wrong step and advised that such a declaration should only come after all peaceful political options have been exhausted.
The controversy stems from Tinubu’s decision on March 18 to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state’s House of Assembly members for six months due to ongoing political tensions. President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the interim administrator of the state for the duration of the emergency rule.
The President based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives room for emergency powers during times of national crisis, disaster, or threats such as terrorism. This provision allows the federal government to temporarily suspend normal governance structures in affected areas.
But Ndume believes this approach was premature. He noted that Tinubu should have taken more time to speak with all involved political parties to find a resolution before moving to such drastic measures.
“I feel that the President would have worked seriously on bringing them (and) solving the problem than (declaring a state of emergency). Call them, seat them down and say ‘go and sort your problem’,” he said.
Ndume also rejected claims that the political actors in Rivers had ignored Tinubu’s earlier attempts at mediation, saying that the removal of the officials by the President suggests that his authority was not being ignored. “How can you ignore the President? When he removed them now, did they ignore the removal?” he asked.
