- Vice Admiral Ibas Appointed as Administrator
- Governor Fubara, Deputy Odu, and Lawmakers Suspended for Six Months
- Rivers Joins Plateau, Ekiti, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa Under Emergency Rule
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Gift Chapi-Odekina
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis. In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu announced the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly members.
As a temporary measure, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), has been appointed as the state’s administrator, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.
This move makes Rivers the sixth state to experience emergency rule since 1999, following Plateau, Ekiti, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
It is also the third state, after Plateau and Ekiti, to see its governor and legislature suspended under emergency provisions.
Tinubu’s Justification for the Emergency Rule
President Tinubu, in his statement, expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in Rivers, stating that the crisis had paralyzed governance and denied citizens access to democracy’s benefits.
He noted that multiple mediation efforts, including his own interventions, had failed to resolve the standoff.
Citing a February 28, 2025 Supreme Court ruling, which criticized the governor’s actions, Tinubu emphasized that Fubara had undermined the legislative arm of government by demolishing the House of Assembly complex and failing to rebuild it.
The President also pointed to security threats, vandalism of pipelines, and alleged militant activities as further reasons for his decision.
In his declaration, Tinubu stated:
“With the crisis persisting, democratic governance in Rivers State cannot function properly. Given the failure of the governor and deputy governor to request intervention as required by law, I am invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency, effective March 18, 2025.”
Reactions to the Declaration
The announcement has sparked strong opposition from legal experts and political figures, who question the constitutional validity of suspending elected officials.
- Senior lawyers, including Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) and Kunle Edun (SAN), argue that Tinubu lacks the authority to remove a sitting governor and lawmakers under Section 305 of the Constitution.
- Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, called the move a political manipulation in bad faith, blaming Tinubu for fueling the crisis.
- Chief Bode George described it as “absolute armageddon”, warning of a dangerous precedent.
- Legal expert Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, however, praised the move as a bold step, but urged Tinubu to also sack FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of sponsoring the crisis.
- Evans Ufeli, another lawyer, acknowledged the emergency but questioned whether Tinubu had the power to suspend the Rivers House of Assembly.
Next Steps
The National Assembly must approve the emergency declaration within 48 hours for it to remain in force.
Meanwhile, Tinubu assured that the judiciary in Rivers State would remain functional and that the administrator would not enact new laws but could make necessary regulations, subject to federal approval.
The political drama in Rivers is far from over, as legal battles and public outcry are expected to follow. Will this intervention bring stability, or further deepen the crisis? Time will tell.
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