Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that President Bola Tinubu stepped in during the political crisis in Rivers State to stop the situation from getting worse. According to him, Tinubu acted quickly to protect Nigeria’s important oil assets and avoid more problems.

Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Uzodimma, who also leads the committee on crude oil theft in the National Economic Council, explained that after some oil pipelines were damaged, the federal government had to take action to protect oil production.

“We are trying to increase oil output,” Uzodimma said. “Any action that damages pipelines or reduces our oil production is a big problem for the country.”

He added that President Tinubu talked with important people and leaders before making any move. The president was worried that the rising tension in Rivers could lead to bigger issues, especially if the state House of Assembly had gone ahead with plans to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Uzodimma warned that such political drama could become a dangerous trend.

He also said, “Power belongs to God. If you are meant to lead, God will make it happen. But if the crisis starts affecting the country’s economy, the federal government must step in.”

Uzodimma rejected claims that Tinubu only gives government positions to people from the South-West. He said Nigeria needs leaders based on merit, not where they come from. He praised Tinubu’s leadership style and said it is focused on reforms, which is different from the last government.

On the topic of insecurity in Imo State, Uzodimma said most of the violence is politically driven. He claimed some of it was caused by people who lost in elections. He said his government is using both military (kinetic) and peaceful (non-kinetic) methods like youth programs and building infrastructure to bring back peace.

He also mentioned that all 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory support the idea of state police. The proposal is now with the National Assembly for approval.