Senator Ayodele Arise, a leader of the All Progressives Congress, or APC, in Ekiti State, claims that President Bola Tinubu’s six-month emergency declaration for Rivers State will not have a detrimental effect on his prospects of winning reelection in 2027.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Sunday, Senator Arise, who served as the representative for the Ekiti North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, affirmed this belief, claiming that the President’s action kept Rivers from devolving into anarchy.
The former member pointed out that political tensions in the state had increased prior to the emergency rule, resulting in violent occurrences and threats to critical infrastructure.
Generally speaking, we must give the President credit for his choice. At the time, the situation in Rivers State was on the verge of becoming unmanageable. In order to protect vital national resources and restore order, the intervention was required,” he stated.
He asserted that peace in the state was essential for the oil and gas industry and that Rivers continues to be strategically important to Nigeria’s economy.
Regarding the political ramifications, Senator Arise rejected claims that President Tinubu would lose support in Rivers State as a result of the decision.
Citing the party’s performance in the 2024 presidential race and recent local government polls, the APC stalwart went on to say that the APC has reinforced its grassroots structures.
In addition to highlighting their roles in influencing grassroots politics in the run-up to 2027, he pointed out that Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, also had responsibilities to uphold peace and stability in the state.
According to the DAILY POST, President Tinubu suspended State Assembly members, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu after declaring a six-month state of emergency.
During this time, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, was designated as the only administrator in charge of the state.
The suspension was revoked at the conclusion of the six-month period, and the governor and lawmakers were among the elected officials who were reinstated.
