Nigeria, March 22 -- Rivers State is now under emergency rule, and it's likely to remain so for the next six months, unless a drastic change occurs. If not managed carefully, this could mark the beginning of a prolonged crisis.

In situations like this, opinions tend to be divergent. For instance, some people hold the notion that the security situation and the need to protect the law and public order justified President Bola Tinubu's proclamation of a state of emergency and the appointment of a sole administrator for Rivers State. However, others view this act as 'unconstitutional', 'reckless', 'an affront on democracy', and 'a political tool to intimidate the opposition'.

When we criticize governments for unmet expectations, we often re...