President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability and security concerns. This decisive action follows months of governance paralysis due to a standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly.
The political crisis in Rivers State has led to a near-total breakdown of governance. Key contributing factors include:
- The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly by Governor Fubara in December 2023, which remains unreconstructed over a year later.
- A bitter power struggle between the governor and Assembly members, leading to legislative deadlock.
- A Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which deemed the governor’s actions unconstitutional and declared the state government dysfunctional.
- Reports of militant activities, including vandalization of vital oil pipelines, with no intervention from the state government.
- A failure of the executive and legislative arms to collaborate for effective governance.
With these factors in mind, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to impose a state of emergency. This declaration suspends Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
To stabilize the state, the president has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State. While the judiciary will continue to function, the administrator will oversee governance under federal supervision. Any regulations necessary for governance will require approval from the Federal Executive Council before implementation.
A state of emergency is a temporary measure that grants enhanced powers to the executive to restore order during times of crisis, such as political instability, insurgency, or natural disasters. Under this provision, certain democratic structures may be suspended or modified to ensure effective governance.
Nigeria has witnessed several instances where a state of emergency was declared to address crises. Notable examples include:
- Plateau State (2004) – Declared by President Olusegun Obasanjo due to ethnic and religious violence.
- Ekiti State (2006) – Declared following a political crisis that resulted in the impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose.
- Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States (2013) – Declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in response to the Boko Haram insurgency.
- Nasarawa State (2014) – Considered but not fully implemented due to political instability.
The declaration of a state of emergency is intended to restore order and ensure the resumption of governance in Rivers State. However, the move also raises questions about democratic processes, the rule of law, and political stability in Nigeria. Analysts and stakeholders will closely monitor the unfolding situation to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and its impact on governance in the region.
As the emergency administration takes effect, the focus remains on securing peace, stability, and constitutional governance for the people of Rivers State.
