The Nigerian Presidency has responded to comments made by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding the situation in Rivers State, characterizing them as a form of nuisance politics. According to Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to President Bola Tinubu, the President’s actions in Rivers State were guided by the Nigerian constitution, specifically Section 305, which empowers the President to intervene when law and order are under threat.

The ADC had accused President Tinubu of autocracy and manipulation in his handling of the Rivers State situation. However, Dare explained that the President’s decision to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution was aimed at preventing bloodshed and restoring governance in the state. He emphasized that the emergency framework used was constitutional and not arbitrary.

Dare also addressed the ADC’s claim that the President had undermined federalism, stating that as a former Governor, President Tinubu had been a strong advocate for state autonomy. He argued that the President’s actions in Rivers State were intended to protect the state and, by extension, the country as a whole.

The Presidency maintained that the ADC’s criticisms were unfounded and amounted to “late pontification and empty noise.” In contrast, the President’s intervention had brought stability, restored democratic institutions, and ensured peace in Rivers State. The government’s position is that President Tinubu’s actions were necessary and in the best interest of the nation.

The situation in Rivers State has been closely watched, and the Presidency’s response is seen as an effort to provide context and justification for the President’s decision to intervene. The government’s actions have significant implications for the country, and the international community is likely to continue monitoring developments in Nigeria. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the various stakeholders will respond and what the long-term consequences of the President’s actions will be.