RENOWNED political economist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi, has strongly criticized the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a politically motivated decision rather than a constitutional necessity.
Utomi in an interview also lambasted the National Assembly for approving the emergency rule, calling the voice vote a “scam” that undermines democracy in Nigeria.
Utomi did not mince words in his assessment of the situation, stating that democracy in Nigeria had been “murdered” by lawmakers who failed to uphold democratic principles.
He expressed dismay over the way the emergency declaration was handled, arguing that there was no justifiable basis for it.
“There was no basis for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. It was deliberately contrived for selfish purposes,” Utomi said.
He pointed out that Nigeria had faced far worse security challenges in other regions without such drastic action being taken.
“When pipelines were being blown up in Rivers State in the past, was there a state of emergency? Why did Tinubu not declare an emergency in Lagos when the Assembly was in turmoil?” he questioned.
The professor further criticized the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for endorsing the emergency rule without proper debate.
He accused lawmakers of disregarding the interests of the Nigerian people and acting in ways that erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“I’ve seen the Senate President call for a voice vote before where the majority said ‘nay,’ yet he still declared ‘the ayes have it.’ The whole thing is a scam against the Nigerian people,” Utomi said.
He warned that the weakening of institutions such as the judiciary and the legislature would have long-term consequences, saying, “They may feel victorious now, but they are destroying the future of their own children.”
Utomi suggested that the crisis in Rivers State was fueled by political rivalries rather than genuine governance concerns.
He compared the situation to the political battles in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki, questioning why a similar emergency was not declared there.
He also warned that the instability caused by the emergency rule would harm Nigeria’s economy and deter foreign investment.
“With this decision, they have made Nigeria unattractive for investment. Serious investors see this as political instability and will stay away,” he stated.
As the debate over Rivers State’s emergency rule continues, Utomi urged lawmakers to reconsider their decision.
He suggested that the voice vote could be overturned and called on Nigerians to demand accountability from their representatives.
“There will be judgment,” he concluded, “because this decision is not about governance—it is about political ego and personal gain.”
The declaration of emergency in Rivers State remains a contentious issue, with opposition voices growing louder against what many see as a dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy.