Ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Rivers State, the state chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised his administration over the state of emergency declared in the state during the political crisis.
Tinubu is scheduled to visit Rivers State on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as part of his re-election campaign.
Reacting to the planned visit, the ADC accused the President of remembering Rivers State only when he needs the support of its people during elections.
The party made its position known in a statement issued on Friday by its Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi.
According to the opposition party, Tinubu has not visited Rivers State for any people-oriented purpose since assuming office over three years ago.
Enyi said the President had neither visited to commission any federal project nor addressed critical challenges facing the state, including the poor condition of federal roads, sea piracy, insecurity, high cost of living, environmental degradation and oil spillage.
The ADC described the six-month state of emergency declared in Rivers State as the only major benefit the state had received from the Tinubu administration.
“It is regrettable to note that the only benefit from President Tinubu’s government to Rivers State was a DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SIX (6) months against Rivers people just to favour his crony, NYESOM WIKE,” the statement read.
The party further accused the President of portraying Rivers State as a crisis-ridden state before the international community, insisting that there was no justification for such a move at the time.
It added that Tinubu’s decision to visit the state was motivated by the 2027 general election and his quest for re-election.
“The only reason he now remembers Rivers State exists is that 2027 is around the corner and he needs our votes to campaign.
“This is unacceptable and an insult to the intelligence of Rivers people. Rivers State is the economic heartbeat of this nation, contributing a huge chunk to the national treasury, yet we have been abandoned with no presidential presence, no federal impact, and no renewed hope felt in Port Harcourt, Ahoada, Bonny, Bori, or Emohua, etc.
“You cannot abandon a people for three years and only remember them when you need their votes. Rivers people are politically aware. We know those who stand with us and those who only come when they need us,” Enyi added.
