Wole Soyinka Criticizes President Tinubu’s Declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State

 Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the action as excessive and contrary to the principles of federalism. 

During an interview on Channels Television, Soyinka expressed concern that such measures undermine the autonomy of state governments and set a concerning precedent for the nation’s democratic framework. ​

President Tinubu declared the emergency on March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months. This decision was prompted by political instability and recent incidents of pipeline vandalism in the oil-rich state.

The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator during this period. 

Soyinka’s critique adds to a growing discourse on the balance of power between federal and state authorities in Nigeria. He advocates for constitutional reforms that would delineate and respect the boundaries of federal intervention, ensuring that state sovereignty is preserved except in cases of extreme necessity.