The whole state House of Assembly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, are suspended in Rivers State due to the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
The declaration was made on Monday, March 18, in response to rising political unrest that threatened to topple the state’s government, which is rich in oil. Restoring order and ensuring the smooth operation of the government required the decision, according to Tinubu.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was named the state’s only administrator to manage things in the interim. That being said, the judiciary will continue to operate normally.
“The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines,” The President said.
“With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
The issue has become a threat to peace and government, President Tinubu declared during an emergency meeting with security chiefs and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
A state of emergency, as defined by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, permits the President to assume power in the event of an emergency. For the next six months, until additional review is conducted, Rivers State will be governed by the federal government.
As events develop, more information will be added.
