President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday wielding the full weight of his constitutional powers, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
With a solemn yet firm voice, Tinubu addressed the nation, expressing deep frustration over the protracted political crisis that has left Rivers State in a state of paralysis.
“I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to,” he declared. “Like many of you, I have watched with concern, hoping that good sense would prevail. But all that hope has burned out without resolution.”
The President did not mince words as he laid bare the series of grave constitutional breaches that forced his hand.
He accused Fubara of running a dictatorship, pointing to the demolition of the State House of Assembly in December 2023—a move he described as unjustifiable and a calculated attempt to govern without legislative oversight.
“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state,” he quoted the Supreme Court’s ruling.
With 27 lawmakers frozen out of governance and the state’s budget still unapproved, the President described the crisis as a full-blown breakdown of democracy. He lamented that his repeated personal interventions were ignored, and the efforts of respected Nigerian leaders brushed aside.
Adding to the explosive situation, Tinubu revealed a terrifying new security threat—militants had begun vandalising oil pipelines while the governor stood idly by.
“I have given a stern order to security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and the protection of vital national assets,” he said, his voice laced with urgency.
With the situation spiralling out of control, the President invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution and made the unprecedented move: “I declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025.”
In a swift and uncompromising move, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for an initial period of six months.
He then handed the reins of the oil-rich state to Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.), who will serve as Administrator under the watchful eye of the Federal Government.
“No new laws will be made, but necessary regulations will be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by me,” Tinubu clarified.
The President reassured that the judiciary would remain intact, allowing courts to function independently. Yet, his message was clear—lawlessness would not be tolerated.
As the declaration was published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly, Tinubu ended with a bold and defiant call:
“It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will restore peace and order in Rivers State, awakening all contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on political players. Long live a united, peaceful, secure, and democratic Rivers State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
