Niger Delta activist Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers State crisis, describing it as part of a broader strategy to weaken political opponents.
Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, March 20, 2025, Sara-Igbe condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, arguing that the president had no constitutional authority to take such action.
Sara-Igbe faulted Tinubu for sparing his minister, Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of sowing discord in the Niger Delta and across the country. He described the president’s decision as illegal and politically motivated, alleging that Tinubu was primarily focused on dismantling opposition parties.
According to him, Section 305 of the Constitution, which Tinubu relied on to suspend Fubara, should have been applied in regions plagued by terrorism and banditry, rather than in Rivers State, where there was no crisis.
“In the case of Rivers State, there’s no war, no fight, the whole place is quiet and yet a state of emergency was declared. Not only that, an elected governor was suspended, the House of Assembly was also suspended. This is somehow not proper, it’s an illegal action.
“Mr President seems to be desperate to whip opponents to their kneels and Wike is the hatchet man of Mr President.”
Sara-Igbe also recalled that during a meeting between Niger Delta leaders and the president, Tinubu placed the blame for the crisis solely on Fubara while sparing his minister, Wike.
