Tinubu's role in the political crises in Ondo, Rivers is defended by the presidency

On Thursday, December 20, 2023, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu attends the Colloquium Lecture in Honor of Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the occasion of his 61st Birthday Celebration. State House/Nosa Asemota photo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been supported by the Presidency in the wake of his intervention in the political unrest in states like Ondo and Rivers.

According to a statement from the president's spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the intervention of the president is necessary to avert future national disputes and destabilization.

Ngelale continued, saying that President Tinubu will keep interfering in state political crises for the greater good of Nigeria as a whole.

Of course, political evolution and the destabilization of a certain state, region, or subnational entity that might become a national conflagration have nothing to do with that, he claimed.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President will not stand by and fold his hands in silence if he witnesses such. That, in my opinion, is what he has done.

That is to say, ensuring the safety of the Nigerian people should be your first priority as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Another reason is that they can function in a setting that is secure and free from any kind of uncertainty.

"Therefore, you understand that the President must intervene if a political crisis turns into something that is creating artificial insecurity, and he made the right choice to intervene."

Late last month, Tinubu entered the protracted political conflict in Ondo State between groups supporting Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

During a meeting with the President that lasted more than six hours at the State House in Abuja, Ngelale revealed on November 25 that the warring parties decided to lay down their weapons and get back together.

According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu urged all rival parties to put aside their differences and accept peace, and he obtained promises to that effect.

Following the resolution, Aiyedatiwa, who had been deputized by Akeredolu, continued to serve as governor, though in an acting capacity. Since then, the State Executive Council members and the state House of Assembly leadership have carried out their respective responsibilities.

Earlier this month, President Tinubu intervened in the political dispute between Rivers State's beleaguered governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his estranged godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. As a result, calm was restored in the state.

Important parties involved in the political crisis roiling Rivers State decided to end the weeks-long battle after Tinubu's involvement.

According to a resolution, the President ordered the immediate withdrawal of all legal actions brought about by Fubara and his staff in relation to the political crisis.

Additionally, Tinubu ordered the immediate termination of all impeachment procedures that the Rivers State House of Assembly had started against the governor.