Senator Ayo Arise has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to wade into the Rivers State political crisis, insisting that the president had no choice but to act in order to prevent the state from sliding into chaos.
Speaking in an interview, the former lawmaker explained that the situation in Rivers required presidential involvement to avert chaos. He said, “If the place becomes ungovernable, and people live in fear, the president would have shagged his responsibility if he did not take the action that he took. When you see a situation where two elephants are fighting, it will be irresponsible of the president to fold his hands. He needed to step in because the instability in Rivers was becoming a national concern.”
He also stressed the political weight of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, noting that no matter the controversies, he remains a central figure in Rivers politics.
According to him, “There is no way you can push aside somebody like Wike when it comes to politics in Rivers State. He has built a political structure that is still very influential, and anyone who wants to govern effectively in that state must recognise that reality. If you don’t give him that respect, you may find yourself in the wrong side of politics.”
The senator argued that Governor Siminalayi Fubara could not ignore Wike’s influence if he hoped to consolidate his hold on the state. He said, “If you don’t give him that respect, you may find yourself in the wrong side of politics.”
On the president’s role, Arise likened Tinubu’s actions to those of a stabiliser determined to ensure order. He remarked, “When you see a situation where two elephants are fighting, it will be irresponsible of the president to fold his hands.”
While admitting the crisis had created deep divisions, Arise expressed optimism that reconciliation would eventually happen, he also described politics in Nigeria as a game of negotiations and settlements, saying,
“Politics is about settlement; people must settle and find a way to continue. At the end of the day, they will still come together, no matter how long it takes. That is the nature of politics in this country, today you are at each other’s throats, tomorrow you are breaking bread together.”
Beyond Rivers, the senator also touched on the wider implications for governance, warning that instability in any state could affect national progress. He maintained that presidential intervention in such crises was not just necessary but also a constitutional responsibility.
“This is not just about Rivers State. When a state as strategic as Rivers becomes unstable, the ripple effects spread across the country. It affects the economy, the security situation, and even the confidence of investors. The president has the responsibility to safeguard the stability of the entire nation, and that is why his intervention is justified,” he said.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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