Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State is a political strategy to intimidate governors into supporting his 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking in an interview with DW Africa, Amaechi described the move as unconstitutional, arguing that insecurity was merely an excuse for a power grab.

“The president wants a power grab. They want to frighten governors who may not support them in 2027,” he said, questioning why emergency measures were not imposed in other states facing security challenges.

Amaechi urged Rivers residents to resist the move through democratic protests, warning that the situation was a threat to democracy. He also criticized the ongoing political crisis between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, claiming it was about money rather than governance.

Meanwhile, the crisis took another twist as former Rivers Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, accused Fubara of orchestrating the 2023 Rivers House of Assembly bombing and attacks on oil pipelines. His wife, Florence Nwaeke, countered the claims, alleging he was forced to make the statements under duress in Abuja.

Governor Fubara dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign, insisting that Nwaeke had been compromised.

With conflicting narratives from political actors, Rivers State remains at the center of a deepening political turmoil.