Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “a case of political manipulation and bad faith.”

Atiku accused Tinubu of being a "partisan player" in the state’s ongoing political crisis, alleging that his administration either facilitated or failed to prevent the unrest.

"His blatant inaction or deliberate neglect in stopping this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful," Atiku stated on Tuesday via X.

He also denounced the security lapses that led to the destruction of national infrastructure in Rivers, asserting that the ultimate responsibility rests with the President. “If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been damaged, the ultimate responsibility falls on the President,” he stated.

“Subjecting the people of Rivers State to hardship merely to further the political maneuvering between the governor and Tinubu’s allies in the Federal Government is a direct attack on democracy and must be strongly condemned,” he added.

Atiku also accused Tinubu of undoing the stability achieved in the Niger Delta under former President Umaru Yar’Adua, arguing that his administration has plunged the region “back into a period of violent unrest and instability.” The former Vice President urged Nigerians to oppose what he described as a political ploy, emphasizing that the situation in Rivers should not be exploited for partisan gain.