Amid escalating political turmoil in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025, Tinubu cited constitutional breaches, security threats, and the breakdown of governance as key reasons for his intervention.
Key Highlights of the President’s Speech included:
The Supreme Court had ruled on February 28 that the absence of a functioning legislature in Rivers rendered the government non-existent.
Tinubu accused Governor Fubara of demolishing the House of Assembly in December 2023 and failing to rebuild it, preventing lawmakers from performing their duties.
Despite the apex court’s directive to restore constitutional order, the Governor and Assembly members failed to cooperate, further deepening the crisis.
Intelligence reports indicated that armed groups loyal to the governor had issued threats, and recent pipeline vandalism was allegedly ignored by state authorities.
To restore stability, Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator of Rivers State.
The judiciary remains unaffected and will continue its functions.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws but can formulate necessary regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President,” Tinubu clarified.
The National Assembly has been notified of the declaration, which is gazetted and legally binding. The President expressed hope that this measure will restore peace, order, and democratic governance in Rivers.
The state of emergency is expected to trigger political and legal debates, as critics may see it as a drastic federal intervention.
However, supporters argue that the move was necessary to prevent total collapse of governance in Rivers State.
As Nigeria watches closely, the unfolding events in Rivers will set a precedent for how the federal government handles political crises in subnational entities.
