Why I suspended Fubara, declared ‘state of emergency ‘ in Rivers – Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability, disregard for constitutional governance, and rising security threats.
The move, announced in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
Tinubu’s decision follows months of political crisis in Rivers State, triggered by Governor Fubara’s demolition of the state House of Assembly complex in December 2023 and subsequent failure to rebuild it. Despite multiple interventions from the President, judiciary, and civil society groups, efforts to resolve the crisis were unsuccessful.
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The Supreme Court, in a February 28, 2025, ruling, had described the situation as unconstitutional, stating that “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state.” The court also reaffirmed the membership of 27 lawmakers who had been excluded from legislative activities.
Security concerns also contributed to the President’s decision. Reports indicated increased militant activities, including pipeline vandalism, with the governor allegedly failing to take action. The situation, Tinubu noted, posed a grave risk to governance, peace, and economic stability.
As part of the emergency measures, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s Administrator to oversee governance while the judiciary remains operational. Tinubu emphasized that the intervention aims to restore democratic order and ensure the welfare of Rivers residents.
The emergency declaration has been forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative approval, marking a significant federal intervention in the state’s political turmoil.
By PRNigeria
