Former Senate Minority Leader and the lawmaker representing Abia South District, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe says if he were President Bola Tinubu, he would have handled the political crisis in Rivers State differently and not impose a state of emergency on the state.
President Tinubu on Wednesday suspended Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Victoria Odu and the state house of assembly and also declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State for an initial period of six months.
He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
Speaking on Arise TV, Abaribe who says every president has a responsibility to maintain law and order, however said he would have handled the situation differently.
“I didn’t see it coming. I thought that there was still a window for a political settlement”.
“It is very unfortunate that we have gotten to this point. We have been following the story. Every president has a responsibility for law and order and given all the circumstances, maybe the president felt that this is the best way to go”.
“If it was me, I will probably not have followed this line. Maybe I would have preempted all these because there were opportunities to have dealt with this matter but somehow, we are where we are. There is nothing we can do about it. Tomorrow, we will certainly look into it in the national interests”.
“I think eventually, we must come to a consensus. No one wants a solution where there is anarchy in the country”.
