Rivers crisis: ‘Don’t kill democracy in Nigeria’- Dele Momodu tells President Tinubu

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “anti-democratic”.

Recall that on March 18, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months in addition to the state of emergency over the political crisis in the oil-rich state.

While speaking on Channels Television today March 31, Momodu condemned President Tinubu’s decision.

“I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve not been in the same party [with him] and all that, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy. So a lot of us, co-comrades at that time, were actually very embarrassed that we have a pro-democracy leader in government, and yet what we are witnessing is worse than dictatorship.

I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu, ‘Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria.’ Everybody who loves him will tell him this. I don’t; I’ve not asked him for anything or anything, but we love him for his contributions to the motivation in the back, which is what is going down the drain” Momodu said

The PDP chieftain accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidating the opposition, warning him to “watch your back”.

“I’m saying it now openly to millions of Nigerians that people are deceiving President Tinubu, and he should not allow people to deceive you. He should just do his job. The only thing that can guarantee a second time is to do your job well. You do not need to intimidate anybody.” he said