posted 23rd March 2025
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Criticises Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers State
Lagos, Nigeria – Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labelling the move as excessive. Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Soyinka expressed concern over the federal government’s response to the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich southern state.
President Tinubu announced the imposition of emergency rule on Tuesday, citing escalating instability and a deepening political impasse in Rivers State. The decision came alongside the suspension of key state officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The suspensions, effective immediately, are set to last for an initial period of six months.
In a swift follow-up, Tinubu appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State. Ibas, a former high-ranking military officer, now assumes full control of the state’s governance amid the unprecedented measures.
Soyinka, a globally renowned playwright and outspoken commentator on Nigerian affairs, argued that the declaration of emergency rule oversteps the bounds of necessity. While acknowledging the tensions in Rivers State, he questioned whether such a drastic intervention was justified, urging a more measured approach to resolving the crisis.
The political turmoil in Rivers State has been marked by weeks of unrest, with clashes between rival factions threatening the stability of one of Nigeria’s most economically vital regions. As a major hub of the country’s oil industry, the state’s governance has long been a contentious issue, often drawing national attention.
Tinubu’s administration has defended the emergency measures as a necessary step to restore order and protect the interests of Rivers State residents. However, Soyinka’s critique has reignited debate over the balance between federal authority and state autonomy in Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
