President Bola Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, Suspends Governor, Deputy, and House of Assembly Members
In response to the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has officially declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state. The announcement was made during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. As part of this emergency measure, the President has suspended the state’s Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
To oversee the administration of the state during this period, Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Military Administrator. His appointment is aimed at restoring governance, ensuring peace, and stabilizing the state amidst the deepening political turmoil.
Constitutional Basis for the Emergency Declaration
The President invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the legal foundation for his proclamation. This section provides the President with the authority to declare a state of emergency when there is a situation of national danger, widespread disorder, or security threats that necessitate extraordinary measures. Under such circumstances, normal constitutional processes can be temporarily suspended to restore order and ensure public safety.
Reasons for Declaring the State of Emergency
President Tinubu cited escalating security concerns and governance failures in Rivers State as the primary reasons for his intervention. The state has been embroiled in a political conflict stemming from a power struggle between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his former political protégé, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The prolonged rift between the two political figures has severely affected governance and public order.
The crisis has led to pipeline vandalism, reportedly carried out by militants, further endangering the state’s security and economic stability. Additionally, growing discontent among civil servants, who had threatened mass protests against the faction of the House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule (a key ally of Wike), contributed to the deteriorating situation.
President Tinubu stated that security reports received within the past 48 hours had confirmed multiple acts of vandalism targeting critical oil infrastructure in the state. He accused the Rivers State Government of failing to take decisive action to address these security threats, thereby necessitating federal intervention.
Key Provisions of the Emergency Rule
- Suspension of Political Leaders:
- The Governor, Deputy Governor, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of six months.
- Their suspension is aimed at preventing further political instability and ensuring that governance can function effectively during the emergency period.
- Appointment of an Administrator:
- Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) has been appointed as the Administrator of Rivers State during the emergency period.
- He is tasked with managing the affairs of the state to restore peace, order, and effective governance.
- Continuation of the Judicial Arm:
- Unlike the executive and legislative branches, the judiciary in Rivers State will continue to function as per the Constitution.
- The courts will remain independent and operational throughout the emergency period.
- Limited Legislative Powers for the Administrator:
- The appointed administrator will not have the power to enact new laws.
- However, he may issue regulations necessary for governance, subject to Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval. These regulations will then be promulgated by the President for enforcement in the state.
President Tinubu’s Justification for the Emergency Proclamation
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized that the failure of Governor Fubara and his Deputy to request federal intervention, as prescribed under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution, compelled him to act decisively. He stressed that it would be irresponsible for any President to allow such a deteriorating situation to persist without taking necessary corrective measures.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace and governance in Rivers State while ensuring that the interests of its people remain protected. He assured the public that the federal government would closely monitor developments in the state and take further actions as necessary to maintain stability.
This declaration marks a significant escalation in the political crisis in Rivers State, with the federal government taking direct control of the state’s administration for the next six months.
