Federal Intervention: President Tinubu Declares Emergency in Rivers State Amid Political Chaos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken drastic action in Rivers State by declaring a state of emergency amid escalating political crises and recent acts of violence, including the vandalization of petroleum pipelines. In a national broadcast on Tuesday night, President Tinubu announced that, effective March 18, 2025, the state would be placed under emergency rule for an initial period of six months.
Key Measures and Appointments
As part of his sweeping intervention, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly. To restore order and oversee the administration of the state, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator, charged with managing state affairs “in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.” Importantly, Tinubu clarified that the declaration does not affect the state’s judicial arm, which will continue to operate under its constitutional mandate.
Reasons Behind the Emergency
President Tinubu cited “disturbing” violence in the past 24 hours marked by explosions and the vandalization of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area—as key factors necessitating the state of emergency. He criticized Governor Fubara for failing to address the escalating crisis, noting that neither the governor nor the deputy had sought his intervention as mandated by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This failure, according to Tinubu, compelled him to invoke the constitutional provision to restore order.
Political Context and Escalating Tensions
The emergency declaration comes on the heels of a notice of gross misconduct served on Governor Fubara by 26 out of the 32 members of the state House of Assembly, who are loyalists to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This move has intensified the political battle between Fubara and Wike, further destabilizing an already volatile environment in the state.
Historical Precedents and Reactions
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode lauded Tinubu’s decisive intervention, remarking, “When children refuse to stop fighting, the father must step in lest they burn the house down.” While this suspension of elected officials under emergency rule echoes practices from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure in Ekiti State in 2006, it marks a departure from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s approach in 2013, when governors in the North-east states were not removed despite similar challenges.
The federal government’s move underscores its commitment to restoring stability and addressing security challenges in Rivers State. As the emergency unfolds, the effectiveness of these measures in quelling the political and social unrest remains to be seen, with many observers closely watching the evolving power dynamics in one of Nigeria’s most strategically important regions.