In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The announcement, made during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening, comes as the oil-rich state grapples with a prolonged political crisis that has defied mediation efforts and threatened stability in the region.
President Tinubu cited the breakdown of governance, persistent political instability and alleged constitutional breaches by Governor Fubara as the reasons for this unprecedented intervention.
The President said: “Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State.”
He pointed to the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex by Fubara in December 2023 — an action the Supreme Court recently deemed unconstitutional — as a key trigger for the emergency measures.
Despite personal interventions and those of other prominent Nigerians, Tinubu noted that all attempts to resolve the crisis had failed.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.
Tinubu clarified that while Ibas will not have the authority to enact new laws, he can issue regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council.
The judiciary, however, will remain operational to ensure continuity in legal proceedings.
The declaration has been gazetted and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The crisis in Rivers has been fueled by a bitter rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The conflict has paralysed governance, with the state legislature collapsing and tensions escalating between factions loyal to both leaders.
The Supreme Court’s 28 February ruling, which condemned Fubara’s actions, further intensified the situation, prompting calls for decisive action.
Reactions have been swift and polarised. Supporters of the move argue it restores order to a state critical to Nigeria’s oil economy, while critics warn of authoritarian overreach and the erosion of democratic norms.
As Rivers State braces for an uncertain future under emergency rule, all eyes are on President Tinubu to navigate this delicate chapter in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Leave a Reply