President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, 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. The declaration, made on March 18, 2025, aims to address the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In his broadcast, President Tinubu expressed concern over the escalating political issues in Rivers State, which he believes have hindered the delivery of democratic benefits to the people. Despite his efforts and those of other leaders to mediate in the crisis, no resolution has been reached.
Read Also: President Tinubu Appoints Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator of Rivers state.
The president pointed out that the governor had previously demolished the House of Assembly in December 2023 and had not rebuilt it, leading to a collapse of effective governance. President Tinubu noted that a recent Supreme Court ruling highlighted the severe breaches of the Constitution by Governor Fubara, stating that the lack of a functioning legislature meant that “there is no government in Rivers State.”
As part of this state of emergency, President Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator for Rivers State. The administrator will manage state affairs but will not be allowed to create new laws. Regulations formulated by the administrator must be approved by the Federal Executive Council.
This decisive action comes in response to troubling reports of unrest and vandalism in the state, with militants threatening security and the governor failing to take necessary action. President Tinubu emphasized that he could not stand by and watch the situation worsen without taking steps to restore order and good governance.
The declaration of emergency by President Tinubu seeks to bring stability to Rivers State and ensure that political players act within the constitutional framework. This intervention has been documented in the Federal Gazette and shared with the National Assembly.
In conclusion, Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers in hopes of reviving peace and governance for the people. He urges all political actors to respect the law and work towards a better future for Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
