President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating security concerns and a prolonged political crisis that has paralyzed governance in the oil-rich region. The declaration, made in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening, takes immediate effect under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of six months. President Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the interim administrator to oversee the state's affairs.
Reasons for the State of Emergency
The president expressed deep concern over the persistent political instability in Rivers State, which he described as a major impediment to democratic governance and economic progress.
"The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy," Tinubu stated.
The crisis, which erupted in late 2023, has seen a breakdown of legislative functions following the controversial demolition of the state’s House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara. The Supreme Court had recently ruled that the governor acted unconstitutionally in attempting to govern without a functioning legislature.
In his address, Tinubu highlighted security threats linked to militants who have engaged in vandalism of oil pipelines, further exacerbating tensions in the state. "Security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them," the president added.
Appointment of an Administrator
To restore stability, Tinubu has installed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the interim administrator of Rivers State. The administrator will not have the power to enact new laws but can formulate regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the president. The judiciary will continue to function independently during the period of emergency rule.
Reactions and Political Implications
The emergency declaration has sparked swift reactions from political stakeholders. The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the move, calling on Tinubu to intervene in what it describes as an unconstitutional impeachment plot against Governor Fubara.
Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to maintain order, with police confirming the arrest of two individuals in connection with a recent pipeline explosion.
A list of 18 allegations, including misconduct and financial breaches, has been leveled against Fubara by lawmakers, further complicating the crisis. However, his supporters argue that the state’s political turmoil is being orchestrated by external influences aiming to unseat him unlawfully.
Next Steps
The emergency measure will be reviewed after six months, and its continuation will depend on the resolution of the crisis. A copy of the proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval in accordance with constitutional requirements.
Tinubu concluded his address with a call for unity, stating, "It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players."
The unfolding situation in Rivers State will be closely watched in the coming weeks as political tensions, legal battles, and security operations shape the future of governance in the region.