Davido’s logistics manager, Isreal DMW, has taken to social media to remind Nigerians of a historical precedent where former President Olusegun Obasanjo sacked the Governor of Plateau State in 2004, drawing comparisons to the recent suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and subsequently announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for a period of six months.
The decision has sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians questioning the legality and political implications of the suspension. Amid the online discourse, Isreal DMW took to his social media page to share a front-page image of a 2004 newspaper, highlighting a similar moment in Nigeria’s history under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The newspaper clipping from 2004 detailed how, in May of that year, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State following a series of deadly religious clashes that resulted in the tragic loss of over 600 lives, most of whom were Muslims allegedly killed by Christian militants.
As part of his response to the crisis, Obasanjo sacked the then-Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, citing his failure to control the escalating violence and restore order in the state. In addition to removing the governor, Obasanjo also dissolved the state legislature and suspended their powers, effectively placing the state under federal control.
To oversee Plateau State during the emergency period, Obasanjo appointed retired Army General Chris Ali as the interim administrator, entrusting him with the governance of the state for the six-month duration of the emergency rule.
By sharing the newspaper article, Isreal DMW appeared to draw parallels between the actions taken by Obasanjo in 2004 and Tinubu’s recent decision in Rivers State, sparking further conversations online about the implications of federal interventions in state governance.
Many Nigerians have since taken to social media to debate whether history is repeating itself or if Tinubu’s move is a unique situation requiring a different perspective.
