President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu cited the prolonged political crisis in the state and the collapse of its legislature as justification for the move. He appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd), as the administrator, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.
Rivers State has now become the sixth state to experience a state of emergency since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. It is also the third state, after Plateau and Ekiti, where both the governor and lawmakers have been suspended under emergency rule.
Tinubu explained that the decision was necessary to restore governance, peace, and security in the state, noting that efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue had failed. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which found constitutional breaches in the state government’s handling of legislative matters.
“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy,” Tinubu said. He also referenced security concerns, including pipeline vandalism by militants, as part of the reasons for the emergency measures.
The President assured that the judiciary in Rivers State would continue to function normally and that the administrator would focus on stabilizing governance rather than making new laws.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Some legal experts and political figures have strongly opposed the declaration, arguing that the President lacks constitutional powers to suspend elected officials. Senior lawyers, including Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) and Kunle Edun (SAN), described the move as unconstitutional and an overreach of executive authority.
Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar condemned the action as politically motivated, stating that Tinubu has failed in his duty to prevent the escalation of the crisis. Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, also criticized the decision, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy.
However, some legal practitioners have supported the intervention, with Dr. Benson Enikuomehin commending Tinubu’s boldness but urging him to also remove FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he accused of fueling the crisis.
The declaration has been forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, and its legality is likely to face challenges in the coming days.
