The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has criticized Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s opposition to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unpatriotic and sentimental.
Ata advised the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to keep his opinions to himself, insisting that President Bola Tinubu made the right decision to address the escalating political crisis in the state.
The minister rebuked Kwankwaso, stating that Tinubu’s proclamation was in the best interest of national stability and security.
He stated that the move was necessary to restore law and order in Rivers State, which has been plagued by prolonged political unrest.
Commending both chambers of the National Assembly for swiftly approving the emergency declaration, Ata insisted that the legislature consists of competent minds who can assess security briefings objectively—unlike Kwankwaso, whom he accused of being largely inactive during his Senate tenure.
“I praise President Bola Tinubu for being decisive and demonstrating that he is attuned to the concerns of Nigerians. The President is firmly in charge of his government and is proactively addressing national issues,” Ata said in a statement through his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola.
He described Kwankwaso as having a flawed understanding of governance and accused the former Minister of Defence of fostering political intimidation, particularly during his time as Kano State Governor.
Ata, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, recalled that Kwankwaso had a history of disregarding legislative independence and the rule of law.
He urged him to focus on resolving the ongoing crisis in the Kano Emirate Council, which, according to Ata, has been worsened by Kwankwaso’s political influence over Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The minister further criticized Kwankwaso’s interference in the Kano Emirship tussle, accusing the state government of repeatedly disregarding court orders.
