President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The move comes amid a protracted political crisis that has left the state government in paralysis.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the prolonged instability in Rivers, which he said has stalled governance and denied residents the benefits of democracy.
He said despite several intervention efforts, including personal mediation by the President and various well-meaning Nigerians, the crisis remained unresolved.
He added that at the heart of the turmoil is the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara in December 2023, which the President described as an unjustifiable act that has effectively dismantled legislative governance in the state.
Tinubu said more than a year later, the structure has not been rebuilt, leaving the state without a functional legislative arm.
The President cited a Supreme Court judgment delivered on February 28, 2025, which found the governor guilty of grave constitutional violations.
The court ruled that no government can exist without all three arms functioning, noting that the governor’s actions amounted to a deliberate effort to collapse the legislature and consolidate power unconstitutionally.
The president said the Supreme Court reaffirmed that 27 lawmakers who had been excluded from governance following their defection remain legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stated that the court had ordered the immediate passage of an Appropriation Bill to restore constitutional governance, but the directive has yet to be implemented.
President Tinubu revealed that militant groups had issued threats and engaged in pipeline vandalism, yet Governor Fubara had not taken decisive action to curb these activities.
The President stated that he had instructed security agencies to restore order and protect vital national assets.
“In light of these developments, no responsible President can stand by and allow the situation to deteriorate further,” Tinubu said.
He invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare the state of emergency, emphasizing that extraordinary measures were necessary to restore peace, order, and good governance in Rivers.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator of Rivers State.
“While the judiciary remains unaffected and will continue its constitutional functions, the Administrator will oversee governance but will not have the power to enact new laws. Instead, any necessary regulations will require approval from the Federal Executive Council and be promulgated by the President.
“The emergency declaration has been formally documented in the Federal Gazette and submitted to the National Assembly, in accordance with constitutional requirements.
“It is my fervent hope that this intervention will restore peace and order in Rivers State, ensuring that all political players adhere to the constitutional framework that binds our democracy,” Tinubu concluded.
