By Our Correspondent
Popular broadcaster and public affairs commentator Rufai Oseni has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State risks portraying his administration as weak and indecisive.
According to Oseni, allowing such a critical conflict to linger unresolved undermines the authority of the presidency and erodes public confidence in federal leadership.
The Rivers crisis, rooted in an intense power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and political forces loyal to former governor and current Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike, has dragged on despite federal intervention.
What began as an internal political disagreement has escalated into a full-blown governance breakdown, disrupting legislative processes and threatening democratic stability in one of Nigeria’s most strategic states.
Oseni argues that Rivers State is far too important, politically, economically, and symbolically, for the federal government to appear uncertain or hesitant. As a major oil-producing state, prolonged instability sends worrying signals not only to Nigerians but also to investors and international observers who closely monitor how the central government manages internal political conflicts.
He further noted that decisive leadership is not measured by force alone, but by the ability to resolve crises fairly, transparently, and swiftly. When conflicts persist without a clear and credible resolution framework, it creates the impression that powerful political interests may be overriding constitutional order, thereby weakening the moral authority of the presidency.
Beyond Rivers State, Oseni warned that the situation sets a troubling precedent. If internal party disputes and state-level power struggles are allowed to spiral unchecked, similar crises could emerge across the country, ultimately threatening national cohesion and democratic norms.
In Oseni’s view, President Tinubu stands at a critical crossroads. Either the presidency asserts firm and impartial leadership to bring lasting stability to Rivers State, or the crisis risks defining the administration as one unable to rein in political excesses. How this moment is handled, he argues, will resonate far beyond Rivers State and shape public perception of Tinubu’s strength as Nigeria’s leader.
