DOUBLE STANDARDS? WHY NO STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BENUE, BUT ONE IN RIVERS?
By Prince Agbedeyi O. D
Edited by Seigha Dora Ayedi
Published by Global Egberi Media International
When news broke that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, many Nigerians turned to one question: Why not Benue State, where there’s been more violence and displacement for years?
A federal official had earlier described the Benue crisis as “only political misunderstanding.” Yet, Rivers State—where no blood was shed, no protests held, and government offices were running—was suddenly branded a national security threat. Overnight, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the entire elected assembly were suspended, and a sole administrator was installed.
Two States, One Country, Two Standards?
- In Benue: deadly herdsmen attacks, mass displacement, and militia violence have persisted for years. Still, no state of emergency.
- In Rivers: political fallout between a sitting governor and his predecessor. No violence, no breakdown of order. Yet, emergency rule was declared.
What the Constitution Says
The Nigerian Constitution under Section 305 provides that emergency powers can only be invoked in cases of war, natural disasters, or total breakdown of law and order.
Rivers did not meet these conditions. So, was this decision political? Was it to silence a governor who chose to be independent of powerful political interests?
A Democracy on Trial
This decision has stirred deep concerns across Nigeria. While Benue's bloody conflict is brushed aside as "politics", Rivers' internal disagreements are met with a full-scale federal intervention. Is this justice or selective governance?
Global Egberi Media International’s Position
We call on the Federal Government to:
- Withdraw the emergency declaration in Rivers State.
- Restore all elected officials immediately.
- Allow the courts—not politicians—to interpret and apply the law.
This is not just about Rivers State. This is about preserving the integrity of democracy and federalism in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Selective democracy is no democracy at all. If Benue was spared emergency rule despite violence, Rivers should not be punished for political disagreements. The rules must be applied fairly and equally for every Nigerian, every state, every region.
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