Segun Atanda/
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
The move follows prolonged political turmoil, judicial pronouncements on constitutional breaches, and rising security concerns.
In a televised address, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the state’s political crisis, citing the collapse of democratic governance. He pointed to the governor’s refusal to rebuild the state’s demolished House of Assembly since December 2023, the failure to implement Supreme Court orders restoring legislative functions, and recent threats from militants as key reasons for his decision.
“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, depriving the people of the dividends of democracy,” Tinubu said. “No responsible President will stand by and allow this grave situation to continue.”
As part of the emergency measures, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the administrator of Rivers State. Tinubu assured that the judiciary would remain functional, and the administrator would only enact regulations subject to Federal Executive Council approval.
The declaration, published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly, marks a historic intervention in Nigeria’s governance. The coming months will determine whether this drastic measure stabilizes Rivers State or deepens political tensions in the country.
The declaration has already sparked strong reactions from political stakeholders, legal experts, and civil society groups. While some view it as a necessary step to restore order, others see it as a dangerous precedent for federal intervention in state affairs.
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