PRESS STATEMENT BY ONE RIVERS INITIATIVE (ORI) - PRESIDENT TINUBU, NIGERIANS, AND THE ELASTICITY OF SUFFERING

The One Rivers Initiative (ORI) has committed itself to critically analyze and comment on the governance of Nigeria under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu—a leadership style that, in our view, is marked by a lack of empathy, impunity, and favoritism. We do this with the hope that history will vindicate those who stand for justice.

For the first time in Nigeria's history, the nation appears to be run as a business enterprise, where citizens are treated as commodities in a survival-of-the-fittest system. Tragically, the vulnerable are bearing the brunt of President Tinubu’s pro-elite economic policies. Rather than addressing the critiques of these policies from the media, ethnic organizations, civil society groups, and the general populace, the government instead takes comfort in praise from the World Bank and the IMF. It is disheartening to see them relish accolades from these Bretton Woods institutions while disregarding the genuine concerns and pain of Nigerians—the very people they are sworn to serve.

The ORI is also deeply troubled by the current state of the Nigerian judiciary, which is often considered the last hope of the common man. Not even during Justice Sowemimo’s infamous "my hands are tied" pronouncement in Chief Obafemi Awolowo's treason trial has Nigeria witnessed such apparent manipulation of the judiciary. Today, the judiciary seems increasingly compromised.

For instance, in Rivers State, judicial processes appear skewed to favor Minister Nyesom Wike. The ORI notes that the disputes between Minister Wike and Governor Fubara are civil matters, yet they are receiving unprecedented expedited hearings. We find it perplexing that these matters are deemed so exceptional that the entire judicial machinery appears diverted to address them.

The recent Federal High Court decision ordering the Federal Government to halt allocations to the Rivers State Government is particularly alarming. This ruling not only invites anarchy but also directly contradicts a Supreme Court decision affirming that the Federal Government cannot withhold allocations to states. Ironically, President Tinubu, as a former governor, once benefited from this Supreme Court ruling in a similar case against President Obasanjo.

Beyond any political agendas, the cessation of allocations to Rivers State will have severe repercussions, including worsening the hardships of the people and accelerating the decay of already deteriorating infrastructure. Public welfare is the fundamental purpose of governance; it should not be politicized.

Furthermore, it is difficult to reconcile the actions of a President who assumed office with the image of a democrat, yet has so openly undermined democratic institutions, from the judiciary to the National Assembly, which increasingly appears to serve as a mere rubber stamp.

Under President Tinubu's administration, merit and integrity seem to have been stripped from the civil service, military, and police. Impunity reigns, and nepotism thrives.

This administration treats the public sector as a personal business enterprise. Despite heavy taxes imposed on Nigerians, infrastructure remains inadequate. Moreover, critical economic sectors—including finance, the blue economy, and solid minerals—have been concentrated within the President’s ethnic group.

The ORI cautions the President against pushing the patience of Nigerians beyond its limits. Even the most patient will resist if pushed to the wall. A word is enough for the wise.

Chief Victor Ebipabo Gurubo

COORDINATOR