A former Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, has described President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers as an extra-constitutional measure.

Mr Adegoroye, however, argued it was necessary and expedient, saying it was a proactive step to prevent an escalating political crisis.

“Only responsible leaders take extra-constitutional measures, however illegal or unpleasant, to maintain law and order and improve governance,” he stated.

During a media chat with journalists on Saturday in Akure, Mr Adegoroye warned that if individual political interests were not addressed promptly, the situation could spiral into violence and destruction.

The former minister said Mr Tinubu had acted as only strong and courageous leaders would.

“Only strong and courageous leaders make such decisions, especially when they are willing to make sacrifices for their countries and ensure history remembers them positively.

“Perhaps the president should have waited two weeks, and Nigerians would have seen the consequences in Rivers. Maybe then, critics would reconsider their stance on his decision,” he said.

Mr Adegoroye noted that the arms in possession of South-South warlords and militants could frighten any nation where gun ownership is illegal.

He argued that no responsible president would stand idly by and watch a political situation deteriorate, stating that Mr Tinubu acted to protect lives, restore order, and safeguard infrastructure.

“Who can say that if Governor Fubara and the Wike-backed House of Assembly were still in place, we would have the peace we now enjoy in Rivers.

“Strong, courageous leaders take firm measures, no matter how unpleasant. That is not to say Asiwaju should become a dictator, but in this case, he acted as a statesman,” he said.

Mr Adegoroye suggested Mr Tinubu must have acted based on unpalatable intelligence reports that demanded urgent intervention.

The former minister urged the president to further act as a statesman by convening a second meeting between the feuding parties to ensure balanced and far-reaching decisions that restore democratic governance in Rivers at the end of the six-month emergency rule.

He said Mr Wike, the suspended governor, and other key actors would use this period to reflect, be sober, and reconsider their actions.

(NAN)