Why Didn’t He Declare State of Emergency In Lagos Over Obasa Saga? — Pat Utomi Questions Tinubu

Prof. Pat Utomi has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, questioning the justification for such an action.

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2024, President Tinubu cited militant vandalization of pipelines and the political situation in Rivers as reasons for consigning the state to emergency rule.

The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs after suspending Governor Siminalayi Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

However, Prof Utomi faulted President Tinubu’s decision in an interview on Channels Television, saying that the political crisis in Rivers did not warrant a state of emergency.

The professor of political economy asserted that even when militants in Rivers were blowing up pipelines during the previous administration, the state was not subjected to emergency rule.

Prof Utomi further questioned the president for not declaring a state of emergency in Lagos State during the crisis involving the Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his colleagues.

“What is the problem in Rivers State that warranted a state of emergency? Tell me what it is. When pipelines were blowing up like popcorn in Rivers State, was there a state of emergency?”

Why did he not declare a state of emergency in Lagos State when the assembly was running back and forth? Why Rivers? There’s something about fairness, equity and pure decency, and I don’t see it here, and I think it’s a shame that they want to rubbish the democracy that we all fought so hard for.”

Prof Utomi also blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

According to him, the endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.

Posted: at 21-03-2025 03:30 PM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero

 

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Posted: at 21-03-2025 04:08 PM (1 month ago) | Addicted Hero

,, you are just a fool. Shut up and get out of naijapals,,u are a nuisance here. Must u comment childish comments in every post??

Posted: at 21-03-2025 07:00 PM (1 month ago) | Upcoming

Why are some people like this? comparing River State situation with that of Lagos is very ridiculous; was there a crisis between the legislature and executive in Lagos, were there threats to life and property?

Posted: at 22-03-2025 02:08 AM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac

I don't know why people are comparing two scenarios that are incomparable to each other. Lagos and Ricers are two different cases.
Was there a threat of violence in Lagos? It's a mere disagreement in the House of Assembly.
Did you hear indigenes of Lagos threatening to blow Murtala Muhammad International Airport or the Lagos Seaport down because of the rancour in the state Assembly??
The ijaws have this mentality that they could hold Nigeria to ransom by threatening to blown oil pipelines down at every slight act of provocation.
Do they forget all these are government properties?
No sane government would allow anyone threaten to destroy it's properties due to any misunderstanding. Hence the reason why the Federal government acted by putting State of emergency in Rivers to calm things down.
Where are all these crusade champions when the fight in tge state was going on? Remember Lagos governor did not pull down the State house of Assembly simply because he wants to make it impossible for the law makers to deliberate on any state issues. If you're not happy with tge declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State. Then take the Federal government to court. Rather than coming on social media to froth in the mouth.
Please note, this is simply my own contribution. Before some myopic minded morons start invoking God of thunder on me rather making their own opinion known here.

Posted: at 22-03-2025 06:07 AM (1 month ago) | Gistmaniac