In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a prolonged political crisis that has crippled governance and threatened the peace and security of the state.
Addressing Nigerians, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in Rivers State, which has left the state at a standstill and deprived its citizens of the dividends of democracy. The crisis, which has persisted for over a year, reached a critical point with the Supreme Court’s recent judgment condemning the unconstitutional actions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the collapse of the state’s legislative arm.
The President highlighted that Governor Fubara had, on December 13, 2023, demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly and failed to rebuild it, effectively crippling the legislative arm of government. Despite numerous interventions by the President, leaders of thought, and patriotic groups, the contending parties have refused to resolve the crisis, leading to a complete breakdown of governance.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the actions of Governor Fubara amounted to a disregard for the rule of law and constitutional governance. The court declared that “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended.” The court also affirmed that the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had allegedly defected, remained valid members and ordered the immediate passage of an Appropriation Bill to restore constitutional democracy. However, these orders have yet to be implemented.
President Tinubu further revealed that the security situation in the state has deteriorated, with reports of pipeline vandalism by militants and threats of violence. Despite these alarming developments, Governor Fubara has failed to take decisive action to address the security challenges or work collaboratively with the legislative arm to restore peace and governance.
In light of these circumstances, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective immediately. As a result, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of six months.
To oversee the affairs of the state during this period, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator. The Administrator will not enact new laws but will have the authority to formulate regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President. The judicial arm of the state will continue to function independently in line with its constitutional mandate.
The declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with constitutional requirements. President Tinubu expressed hope that this intervention would restore peace, order, and good governance in Rivers State, urging all political actors to prioritize the welfare of the people and adhere to constitutional principles.
The declaration marks a significant step in addressing the political and security challenges in Rivers State, with the aim of restoring stability and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.
