President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, Rivers State Remains Your Albatross: The Nation and Globe Know Only You Can Remove This Burden—Act Now

President Bola Tinubu: Your Approach to Rivers State Demands a Turn Toward Humanity—Tomorrow Promises No One

President Bola Tinubu’s approach to the Rivers State crisis has exposed a dangerous pattern of political maneuvers, risky alliances, and troubling silence. Rivers State is not just another state—it is Nigeria’s oil-rich economic backbone, the bedrock of national revenue, and the epicenter of Niger Delta politics. Yet your actions, Mr. President, and too often your inaction, have risked destabilizing this critical region, amplifying tensions, and threatening Nigeria’s democratic and economic stability.

Tinubu’s Troubled History of Intervening in Rivers State

When you intervened in Rivers State’s political crisis in 2023, your actions were widely criticized as one-sided and detrimental to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum saw your mediation as favoring Nyesom Wike while ridiculing Fubara. This perception deepened when you insisted that Fubara re-present the state budget to a reconstituted Rivers House of Assembly, a move many argued undermined his authority and legitimacy.

The October 2023 rift between Wike and Fubara offered a pivotal moment to demonstrate decisive, fair leadership. Instead, your intervention emboldened Wike, eroding democratic structures and exacerbating political divisions. These actions have not been forgotten, and they serve as a stark warning for your continued engagement, particularly if your decisions remain skewed toward one faction.

Mr. President, Humanity Calls You to Act

Since May 2023, the people of Rivers State have cried out under the weight of political manipulation, judicial overreach, and systemic instability. That is not months of ordinary suffering—it is months of compounded loss, fear, and despair. Their voices have grown hoarse from pleading for relief, and their tears have become the silent witness to a government that seems deaf to their plight.

Mr. President, I plea with you: go deep into your humanity. Feel the pain of the people you swore to serve. Their cries cannot wait for another day of indifference, another month of excuses, or another year of political gamesmanship. Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Rivers State needs leadership that transcends politics, alliances, and debts. It needs a leader who can restore hope, uphold justice, and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic and economic future. Mr. President, that leader must be you. The time to act is now.

Tinubu’s Risky Gamble with Nigeria’s Economic Engine

Rivers State, as the premier oil-producing region in Nigeria, holds immense strategic importance. Its stability directly impacts national revenue, investor confidence, and overall economic unity. Yet, Tinubu’s silence in the face of the current crisis—marked by Wike’s aggressive maneuvers, allegations of judicial interference, and the Federal High Court’s ruling to freeze Rivers’ federal allocations—signals a dangerous gamble.

Critics argue that Tinubu’s reluctance to confront Wike stems from a perceived political debt. Allegedly, Wike played a pivotal role in securing Rivers State for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. By prioritizing personal loyalty over national interests, Tinubu risks alienating not only the people of Rivers State but also the broader Nigerian public.

The stakes in Rivers are far too high for political games. Any instability in the state threatens to disrupt oil production, reignite militancy in the Niger Delta, and weaken Nigeria’s already fragile economic recovery.

The Brewing Storm: Oil Wealth vs. Political Power

Rivers State’s role as the economic engine of Nigeria makes its stability non-negotiable. However, the political storm brewing between Governor Fubara and Wike has created a volatile situation. Wike’s alleged efforts to destabilize Fubara’s administration—ranging from influencing court rulings to exacerbating political divisions—have sent shockwaves through the state.

The Federal High Court’s decision to freeze federal allocations to Rivers, ostensibly to address constitutional violations in the 2024 budget, has only deepened the crisis. Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has condemned the ruling and urged Tinubu to act swiftly. He criticized the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the violent treatment of Fubara as clear attempts to unseat the governor and install a Wike loyalist.

Chief Clark’s warning that “Rivers people have suffered enough” underscores the high stakes for the Niger Delta region and Nigeria’s economy. Tinubu’s silence is seen as a tacit endorsement of Wike’s destabilizing tactics, raising questions about the President’s commitment to justice and fairness.

A Legacy at Risk: Tinubu’s Dangerous Calculations

By failing to address Wike’s unchecked ambitions, Tinubu is playing a high-stakes game that could define his presidency. Rivers State is not just any state—it is the economic heart of Nigeria. Allowing Wike’s political ambitions to dictate Rivers’ future undermines the rule of law, weakens federal leadership, and risks reigniting instability in the Niger Delta.

Tinubu’s silence sends a dangerous message: that political debts and alliances outweigh the stability of Nigeria’s most critical state. Nigerians are watching, and the cost of inaction will be severe. The destabilization of Rivers threatens not only the state but also the nation’s economic backbone and democratic framework.

The Cost of Tinubu’s Silence

The perception that Tinubu is prioritizing Wike’s agenda over national stability erodes public trust. Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze’s warning is clear: the Rivers crisis is not just a local issue but a national emergency with profound implications for Nigeria’s democracy and economy. Elder statesman Edwin Clark has echoed these sentiments, cautioning that allowing Rivers to descend further into chaos will have catastrophic consequences for the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.

Tinubu must abandon his silence and act decisively to stabilize Rivers. Anything less is a betrayal of his duty as President and a dangerous gamble with Nigeria’s future.

Wike’s Overreach and the Erosion of Governance

Wike’s unchecked actions—allegedly orchestrating judicial rulings, gifting houses to judges, and influencing federal decisions—have further destabilized Rivers. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has criticized these actions as compromising judicial independence and eroding public trust in governance. Combined with Wike’s controversial demolition policies in Abuja, which disproportionately target the poor, these actions paint a picture of leadership driven by ambition rather than accountability.

The escalating tensions in Rivers State demand urgent, transparent, and decisive leadership from President Bola Tinubu. Silence is no longer a viable strategy, and indifference to the turmoil gripping Nigeria’s most critical oil-producing state is a disservice to the nation. The world watches as Rivers State teeters on the brink of chaos, and history will judge whether Tinubu rises to the challenge or allows political gamesmanship to jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy and economic stability.

Tinubu’s Silence Is Not an Option

President Tinubu’s last indirect engagement with the Rivers crisis came through Ajuri Ngelale, his former spokesperson, who in May 2024 declared that the President would remain neutral. However, Ngelale’s resignation in September 2024 has left an ominous communication void, fueling perceptions of Tinubu’s complicity in Nyesom Wike’s increasingly destabilizing actions. This silence, deliberate or not, speaks volumes and is eroding public trust in Tinubu’s leadership.

The warnings from Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, and Asari-Dokubo are unambiguous. Rivers State is burning under Wike’s ambitions, and Tinubu’s refusal to act decisively risks plunging the state into deeper turmoil. If Rivers collapses into chaos, the blame will rest squarely on Tinubu’s shoulders. His leadership—or the lack thereof—will determine whether Rivers State emerges from this crisis intact or becomes a cautionary tale of failed governance.

The Fragility of Nigeria’s Democracy

The Rivers State crisis is a defining moment for Tinubu’s presidency and Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It is a litmus test of Tinubu’s commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of governance. Yet, his silence raises troubling questions about whether political debts and alliances are being prioritized over the nation’s stability and democratic integrity.

Rivers State’s significance extends far beyond its borders. As the economic engine of Nigeria, its stability underpins national unity and prosperity. The ongoing crisis threatens not just the state but the entire Niger Delta region and Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy. Tinubu’s failure to address this crisis decisively could result in a domino effect of instability, weakening investor confidence, fueling militancy, and eroding trust in federal leadership.

The Time for Action Is Now

President Tinubu, Rivers State is your albatross—a burden that only you can remove. The nation and the world understand the weight of your responsibility, and the choice before you is stark. Will you act with the decisiveness and moral clarity expected of a leader, or will you allow political expediency to dictate your actions?

The time for neutrality and silence is over. The stakes are too high for further delay. Rivers State’s stability is non-negotiable, and the human cost of inaction is incalculable. Families, communities, and livelihoods are at risk, and every moment of inaction fuels the perception of federal complicity in Wike’s destructive agenda.

A Brutal Truth About Leadership and Legacy

Leadership is not about convenience but conviction. History is ruthless to leaders who fail to act in moments of crisis. If Rivers State descends further into chaos, Tinubu’s legacy will be forever tarnished as the President who allowed Nigeria’s most critical state to burn under his watch. Nigerians will not forgive a leader who prioritized political debts over national interests.

Chief Edwin Clark’s warning resonates deeply: “A word is enough for the wise.” Tinubu must heed this wisdom and act decisively to restore trust, fairness, and the rule of law. The time for political calculations is over. What is at stake is not just Rivers State but the future of Nigeria’s democracy, economy, and global standing.

An Appeal to Tinubu’s Humanity

President Tinubu, the crisis in Rivers is not just about power; it is about people. It is about the market women who struggle to feed their families, the children who dream of a stable future, and the communities that depend on your leadership to shield them from despair. This is a moment to transcend political rivalries and personal debts and to embrace the humanity that defines true leadership.

Your silence has consequences, and your actions—or lack thereof—will echo through generations. The world knows that only you can remove this burden. Act now, not just as a President but as a protector of Nigeria’s soul. Rivers State, the nation, and the globe are watching. It is time to lead.

President Bola Tinubu, your leadership shone when you ordered the release of 29 minors unlawfully detained and facing the death penalty. That action was a reminder of your ability to rise above political maneuvering to address grave injustices. Now, the Rivers State crisis demands the same decisive intervention.

Rivers State is not just entangled in a political battle—it is a state under siege by collusion between political actors like your FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a judiciary increasingly seen as compromised. The courts have been weaponized, and Rivers is being destabilized to serve egos and ambitions, eroding trust in Nigeria’s institutions

As the nation’s leader, you cannot remain silent while Rivers, Nigeria’s oil-rich lifeline, teeters on chaos. The same decisive action you took for the detained minors must now be applied to rein in those undermining the Rivers government and the judiciary itself

This is not about dictating to the judiciary but ensuring it operates free from manipulation. Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi and Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun must restore judicial independence and stop political actors from hijacking the courts.

President Tinubu, Rivers is your albatross. Your legacy depends on whether you act to stabilize Nigeria’s most critical state or let it collapse under political debts and unchecked ambition. Rivers, the nation, and the world are watching. Act now, for justice and for Nigeria’s future.