Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on media and publicity, has defended the declaration of Rivers Emergency.
The presidential aide said Tinubu made the right decision which is necessary to protect Nigeria’s stability.
This was in reaction to criticisms of the emergency rule by former President Goodluck Jonathan and Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate.
Jonathan had expressed concern that the suspension of democratic institutions could tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation, adding that the decision was a “clear abuse of power by all actors.”
Soyinka also said the action contradicts the principles of federalism and over-centralises power in the presidency.
Ajayi dismissed their concerns in a statement on Sunday, saying they are personal opinions.
The statement reads, “Former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians that have offered varied opinions on the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the two distinguished Nigerians have also offered their own opinions too.”
“President Tinubu has a country to govern, and he has exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
“President Tinubu has a duty to preserve the corporate existence of Nigeria. He won’t allow any part of the country or state to descend into chaos.”
“The Supreme Court ruled that there is no functioning government in Rivers State known to the constitution of Nigeria. President Tinubu won’t fail in his sacred duty to protect and preserve the country.”
