Nigeria, Sept. 15 -- Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubaka, has defended the decision of President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that it was the only viable option to avert chaos, impeachment, and a possible breakdown of governance.

Mr Sowunmi, a member of the opposition PDP, spoke during an interview on Channels Television's: Sunrise Daily" programme on Monday, where he analysed the soon-to-expire emergency rule imposed in Rivers about six months ago.

The Rivers political crisis erupted late last year after a bitter fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Their disagreement split the state house o...