Former VP Aide Blasts Tinubu's State Of Emergency In Rivers State

Demola Olarewaju Slams Tinubu's Decision: Echoes of the Past?

Well, listen up, folks. Let’s talk about what’s been going on in Nigeria’s political sphere. A prominent aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, has come out swinging with some strong words about President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move, according to Olarewaju, is reminiscent of decisions made during the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But here’s the kicker—Olarewaju argues that such bold moves were possible back then because the country’s democracy was still in its infancy, and the news didn’t travel as fast as it does today.

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into this. Olarewaju believes that while Obasanjo had the ability to remove governors seemingly without much fuss during his presidency, Tinubu’s attempt to replicate that in the current political climate could easily blow up in his face. Think about it. Back in the day, when Obasanjo was calling the shots, the news cycle moved at a snail's pace. Social media? Nonexistent. That meant controversial decisions could be made with less immediate backlash. But we’re living in a different era now, where information spreads like wildfire.

The Changing Political Landscape

In a world where every tweet, post, and breaking news alert can spark a national conversation in seconds, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Olarewaju pointed out that during Obasanjo’s tenure, a sitting governor, Chris Ngige, was abducted and held hostage for hours. At the time, it was a shocking incident, but without social media to amplify the outrage, it didn’t have the same explosive effect it would today. He explained, “Twenty-two years ago, a sitting Governor, Chris Ngige, was abducted and held hostage for hours—it was Nigeria’s first democratic experiment since 1983, and social media wasn’t yet a thing; they could keep it hushed.”

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Fast forward to today, and the political game has changed entirely. The rapid spread of information through social media platforms means that every move a leader makes is under a microscope. Olarewaju emphasized that Tinubu’s decision to appoint Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State after suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not just questionable—it’s downright dangerous. “To invite a retired military personnel to take power in Rivers State over political squabbles is such a dangerous move by Tinubu, I’m still stunned by it,” Olarewaju stated on 𝕏, formerly Twitter.

Why Tinubu’s Move Could Backfire

Now, you might be wondering why Tinubu would take such a drastic step. Olarewaju questions this very point, wondering why the President would resort to military intervention in what is essentially a political issue. He argues that there were far more democratic ways to handle the situation. This decision, Olarewaju believes, reflects Tinubu’s lack of understanding of the times we live in. While Obasanjo had the political clout and the historical context to manage similar situations in the past, the current environment in Nigeria is vastly different.

Olarewaju drives this point home with a poignant observation: “OBJ could do it for several reasons, mainly because he was one of the boys. Tinubu’s attempt to do the same may easily backfire.” He also criticized Tinubu’s handling of the economy, pointing out that the President has already driven more Nigerians into poverty than the previous administration under Muhammadu Buhari. This economic struggle, coupled with his recent political maneuvers, paints a grim picture of leadership that many Nigerians are finding hard to swallow.

Conclusion: A New Era, A New Approach

As Olarewaju wraps up his critique, he stresses the importance of recognizing the changing times. The political climate has evolved significantly since Obasanjo’s presidency, and actions that were once possible are no longer feasible. He reminds us that Obasanjo removed several governors during his time in office, but that was in a completely different era. “Obasanjo removed several governors when he was President—tell Emperor Tinubu also to attempt it since he doesn’t understand that seasons are different. Baba could do all of that because democracy was still nascent, and the news cycle/analysis was very slow compared to now,” Olarewaju concluded.

So, there you have it. The political chessboard has changed, and the rules of the game have shifted. As Nigeria continues to navigate its democratic journey, leaders must adapt to the times if they hope to succeed.