“You Heard Chibok Girls Would Be Kidnapped and Did Nothing” — Gov Okpebholo Slams Jonathan Over Rivers Emergency Criticism

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has taken a swipe at former President Goodluck Jonathan over his criticism of the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the former leader of hypocrisy and inaction during his time in office.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the 125-kilometre Benin-Auchi road project, Governor Okpebholo defended President Tinubu’s decision, describing it as a proactive and necessary move to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and restore stability in the Niger Delta. He argued that those condemning the emergency rule, particularly Jonathan, lacked the moral standing to do so.

“The man criticising President Tinubu did not take a similar step when he heard that they were going to kidnap the Chibok girls in 2014,” Okpebholo stated. “It is better for a President to be proactive. The single decision taken by President Tinubu saved the economy of Nigeria.”

He added that the declaration was in the best interest of the country and helped avert a breakdown of law and order in a region critical to Nigeria’s oil production. “What President Tinubu did in Rivers State is a welcome development to ensure peace in the Niger Delta,” he said. “When crude oil pipelines in Rivers were being blown up by militants, what did Nigerians expect Mr. President to do on the nation’s economic sustenance?”

Governor Okpebholo also contrasted Tinubu’s leadership style with Jonathan’s, pointing out the increase in Nigeria’s revenue under the current administration. “When Jonathan was Nigeria’s President, the country’s total annual budget was not more than N1.6 trillion. That is what we are now sharing monthly from the Federation Account. That is a man that has vision,” he said of President Tinubu.

This marks the second time in a matter of days that Governor Okpebholo has publicly backed President Tinubu’s controversial action. He had earlier dissociated himself from the South-South Governors’ Caucus, which criticized the emergency rule.

Also weighing in, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, defended the president’s action as a “very painful but very responsible” decision. He said the president acted within the provisions of the Constitution due to the collapse of governance in Rivers State.

“The House of Assembly was non-functional, the executive was facing serious difficulties, and democracy could not thrive under those conditions,” Idris told *The Nation*. “The president had no intention to appoint a governor or take over Rivers. He only acted to prevent a total collapse of law and order.”

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga echoed this position in an article, warning of the consequences had Tinubu delayed intervention. According to him, political tension, threats of impeachment, and potential sabotage of oil facilities would have pushed Rivers into chaos.

“Critics who argue the crisis didn’t yet warrant emergency rule ignore a stark truth: waiting for a full breakdown before acting is like calling firefighters after a house has burned to the ground,” Onanuga wrote.

Meanwhile, suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara made his first public appearance since the declaration, attending a special church service in Port Harcourt. Accompanied by political allies and traditional leaders, Fubara participated in prayers and thanksgiving at the Salvation Ministry but did not speak publicly. His presence, however, quelled speculations over his whereabouts and signaled his continued relevance amid the ongoing crisis.