Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused President Bola Tinubu of sacrificing the entire Rivers State to a political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who happens to be his friend, against the wishes of the state’s people.

Sowore said the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amounts to anarchy, as Tinubu unilaterally removed a democratically elected governor and installed a sole administrator.

Speaking on Channels TV Thursday morning about the president’s declaration, Sowore said, “It is important to state here that we are witnessing impunity in its most obvious form.”

He said when the president of a country can sacrifice an entire state—one of Nigeria’s richest and most prominent states—on the altar of political convenience to please a godfather who is his friend, then Nigerians are in trouble.

The human rights activist alleged that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency because his political ally, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, had helped him win the presidency through “electoral manipulation” in the state.

Sowore further alleged that Tinubu and Wike’s main objective is to control the state’s treasury and are already strategising for future elections.

“They’re looking at how to manipulate the next election cycle. That is the motivation behind all of this. Every step leading up to this move was designed to consolidate power for the godfather,” he said.

He continued: “What I find despicable and unacceptable is that certain people in this country can predictably engage in undemocratic actions, and they will get away with it.

“They make it clear that they do not care about the people, institutions, or democracy itself. They simply remove a governor who refuses to play along by surrendering the state’s resources, and then they impose a sole administrator overnight.

“They didn’t even wait for the National Assembly—which, pardon my words, which I called ‘useless’—to take a position on the matter. They rushed ahead with their plan because their ultimate goal was to release the state’s funds to an illegitimate appointee who was not elected by the people of Rivers State.

“Initially, the Supreme Court ruled to halt the state’s allocation until certain democratic principles were resolved. But instead of addressing those concerns, they have completely abandoned democracy altogether.”

Sowore expressed scepticism that the National Assembly would intervene, arguing that the lawmakers were only waiting to rubber-stamp the decision.

“Even if they don’t have the numbers, they will come up with some justification to push this through. But what matters is that Nigerians wake up. They have been too complacent, too quiet, and perhaps too cowardly. More people are now realising the need to come together and reclaim the country,” he said.

He stated that Nigeria cannot progress when those in power actively work against it.

“Those expected to bring progress are doing the opposite. That is why I hope this crisis will force Nigerians to rise and take action. I’m not calling for mayhem; they are the ones who have introduced mayhem into our politics. Justice is not about maintaining peace in the graveyard—it’s about fairness and accountability,” he said.

Sowore also criticised the role of Nigeria’s Attorney General (Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in enabling impunity and illegality.

He said, “One of the biggest crises in Nigeria was the annulment of the June 12 election, and that decision was driven by advice from an Attorney General. Every time we face impunity, dictatorship, or unjust laws, the Attorney General is often the enabler. Maybe we should start scrutinising that office more closely.

“It doesn’t matter who holds the position—once they become Attorney General, they take on a certain arrogance and impunity. They defend indefensible actions, like this unconstitutional takeover of Rivers State. The Attorney General surely knows this is wrong, but they do not care.

“They know Nigerians will move on, and that’s why they keep getting away with these actions. But I hope Nigerians won’t let this slide, just as they should not overlook other attacks on their rights.”

Sowore further dismissed accusations of promoting anarchy, arguing that the federal government in Rivers State imposed the real anarchy.

“Somebody imposed his friend on a state that already has elected officials. Soldiers have been sent in, the governor has been driven out—this is anarchy. So why are you accusing me of promoting anarchy? If there’s anarchy, it is the federal government that has imposed it on Rivers State,” he said.

However, Sowore reiterated his stance that Nigeria’s democracy is under siege.

“I don’t care about labels. If speaking the truth makes me an ‘anarchist,’ so be it. But what we are discussing here is not anarchy—it is the blatant destruction of democracy,” he added.