President Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, Suspends Governor Fubara

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the President cited ongoing political instability as the reason for his decision, stating that the governor and his deputy failed to formally request federal intervention, as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and with the Governor and Deputy Governor failing to make a formal request as required, I am invoking Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective today, March 18, 2025.”

To oversee the state during this period, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator, emphasizing that the judicial arm of government remains unaffected and will continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.

The decision marks a major escalation in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which has been marred by tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).