Lauretta Onochie, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has criticized President Bola Tinubu over his handling of the Rivers State crisis, as reported by Daily Post on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
She warned that the people of the Niger Delta will not forget what happened and may respond during the 2027 general elections.
Onochie said the President’s decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State was unconstitutional and amounted to lawlessness.
She stressed that the action left the state in hardship for six months and caused political instability.
On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The order suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly.
During this period, retired naval chief Ibok Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator to manage the affairs of the state.
The Presidency said the decision was necessary to prevent a deeper political crisis, but it drew widespread condemnation.
Many civil society groups, opposition politicians, and Niger Delta activists argued that the step was a violation of democratic principles.
Onochie accused Tinubu of deliberately undermining democratic institutions in the state.
She said the emergency rule was a form of punishment on Rivers people, who were denied the leadership they voted for.
She added that Tinubu underestimated the political awareness of Niger Deltans.
According to her, the people will hold him accountable at the ballot box in 2027.
Onochie maintained that the people of the region will not overlook what she described as an abuse of power.
She stated that the political consequences will be felt in the near future.
“Tinubu never thought that the 6 months of hell he illegally and unconstitutionally imposed on Rivers State will come to an end. That Tinubu lawlessness will be punished in 2027 by Niger Delltans. We are set,” she said.
