By Adeboye Ado

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Following the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, residents of the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State have extolled President Bola Tinubu for toeing the line of peace in order to nip the  crisis in the bud.

The residents asserted that the Presidential intervention was  devoid of prejudice, while they advised all parties in the ball game to sheath their swords and allow peace reign in the oil rich state.

A political analyst, Mr. Abel Olanipekun noted to the crisis would have snowballed and subsequently led to loss of lives and destruction of properties should the President tarried too long in his decision.

Olanipekun said, “This is the best decision that has been made so far. Many people do not realize that President Tinubu actually stepped in to help Governor Fubara.

“If he had ignored the situation and refused to take action, things could have gotten much worse. Declaring a state of emergency was necessary to prevent chaos, as the crisis could have led to the loss of lives and massive destruction of property.

“Without this intervention, the governor might not have been able to control the situation.

“The crisis in Rivers State was becoming too serious, and something had to be done quickly. If left unchecked, the tension could have escalated beyond control, leading to violence and destruction.

“The President’s decision to intervene was not just about politics, but about maintaining peace and order in the state.

“Some people may not understand the importance of this action, but without it, the situation could have become uncontrollable, making it even harder for the government to restore stability.

“I strongly believe that the President did the right thing by stepping in at the right time. Leadership is about making tough decisions, especially in times of crisis.

“The intervention was necessary to save lives, protect properties, and ensure that Rivers State does not descend into complete disorder. Even though some people may criticize the decision, history will show that it was the best course of action to prevent a bigger disaster.”

A youth leader, Mr. Ogunleye Abiodun hailed President Tinubu for declaring emergency rule in Rivers, stating that the decision is in the best interest of all and sundry.

In his words, he said: “The decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State is the best choice for everyone. President Tinubu cannot allow chaos and lawlessness to take over just because of the disagreements between the governor and the House of Assembly members.

“If nothing was done, the situation could have worsened, leading to serious conflicts that would affect the people of the state. Leadership is about making tough choices, and this step was necessary to maintain peace and order.

“Before the emergency rule was declared, the state was already experiencing tension, and the situation was getting out of control. There had even been reports of explosions, which showed how dangerous things had become.

“If the government had not stepped in, more violence could have erupted, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property. People deserve to live in a peaceful and stable environment, and the President’s decision was aimed at protecting them from further harm.

“Looking at everything that has happened, it is clear that this intervention was needed to bring back stability. No responsible leader would watch a state fall into anarchy without taking action. Some may not fully understand the reasons behind the decision, but in the long run, it will prove to be the right move.

“The most important thing now is for everyone to work together to restore normalcy and ensure that peace is maintained in Rivers State.

However, a retired Civil Servant, Mr. Adekunle John urged the new Administrator of the state to unite  all parties in the state, adding that the President needs to be commended on the emergency rule. “President Tinubu deserves praise for his decision to declare a state of emergency.  It was a necessary step to restore peace and stability in Rivers State. Without this intervention, the crisis could have escalated, causing more harm to the people and the state as a whole. His leadership in handling the situation shows his commitment to maintaining law and order.

“However, now that a new administrator has been appointed, the focus should be on bringing everyone together. The crisis has created divisions among different groups, and it is important to promote unity.

“The administrator should engage all parties involved, listen to their concerns, and find a way to resolve disagreements peacefully. Only by working together can the state move forward and recover from the recent unrest.