RIVERS CRISIS: Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency In Rivers, Suspends Governor Fubara, Deputy And Others
By Ibe Innocent Ugonna
In an extraordinary move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. This drastic measure was announced in a broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, citing the persistent political crisis in the state that has rendered democratic governance ineffective.
According to Tinubu, the crisis has led to a breakdown in law and order, with the state’s government unable to provide basic services to its citizens. The President expressed concern over the demolition of the House of Assembly by Governor Fubara in December 2023, which has not been rebuilt, and the inability of the governor and the House to work together.
The Supreme Court’s judgment on February 28, 2025, which declared that the Governor’s actions were unconstitutional and that the state’s government did not exist without a functional legislature, was also cited as a reason for the declaration.
In the interim, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state. The judicial arm of Rivers State will continue to function, and the Administrator will not make new laws but can formulate regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council.
This development has significant implications for the people of Rivers State and the country at large, raising questions about the limits of executive power and the role of the judiciary in resolving political crises.
