President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that has crippled governance and security in the region. The declaration, which took effect on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the crisis, emphasizing that the state had been at a standstill for months. He noted that despite multiple interventions—including personal efforts and those of well-meaning Nigerians—the situation had continued to deteriorate.
A key factor in the decision, according to the President, was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara on December 13, 2023, which, 14 months later, had not been rebuilt. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, had declared that the state was operating without a functional government due to the governor’s actions against the legislative arm.
“The Supreme Court, in its ruling, made it clear that a government cannot exist without one of its three arms. The head of the executive arm has collapsed the legislature to enable himself to govern as a despot. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State,” President Tinubu said, quoting the court’s judgment.
Security concerns were also a major factor in the declaration. The President revealed that militants had issued threats and vandalized oil pipelines in the state, while the governor failed to take action. In response, he has ordered security agencies to protect lives, infrastructure, and critical national assets in Rivers State.
To restore governance, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, the judiciary will remain operational, and no new laws will be enacted under the emergency rule. Any necessary regulations will be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that this intervention was necessary to restore peace, order, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
He concluded his address by expressing hope that the intervention would help resolve the crisis and reaffirm the rule of law in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that has crippled governance and security in the region. The declaration, which took effect on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the crisis, emphasizing that the state had been at a standstill for months. He noted that despite multiple interventions—including personal efforts and those of well-meaning Nigerians—the situation had continued to deteriorate.
A key factor in the decision, according to the President, was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara on December 13, 2023, which, 14 months later, had not been rebuilt. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, had declared that the state was operating without a functional government due to the governor’s actions against the legislative arm.
“The Supreme Court, in its ruling, made it clear that a government cannot exist without one of its three arms. The head of the executive arm has collapsed the legislature to enable himself to govern as a despot. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State,” President Tinubu said, quoting the court’s judgment.
Security concerns were also a major factor in the declaration. The President revealed that militants had issued threats and vandalized oil pipelines in the state, while the governor failed to take action. In response, he has ordered security agencies to protect lives, infrastructure, and critical national assets in Rivers State.
To restore governance, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, the judiciary will remain operational, and no new laws will be enacted under the emergency rule. Any necessary regulations will be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that this intervention was necessary to restore peace, order, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
He concluded his address by expressing hope that the intervention would help resolve the crisis and reaffirm the rule of law in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that has crippled governance and security in the region. The declaration, which took effect on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the crisis, emphasizing that the state had been at a standstill for months. He noted that despite multiple interventions—including personal efforts and those of well-meaning Nigerians—the situation had continued to deteriorate.
A key factor in the decision, according to the President, was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara on December 13, 2023, which, 14 months later, had not been rebuilt. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, had declared that the state was operating without a functional government due to the governor’s actions against the legislative arm.
“The Supreme Court, in its ruling, made it clear that a government cannot exist without one of its three arms. The head of the executive arm has collapsed the legislature to enable himself to govern as a despot. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State,” President Tinubu said, quoting the court’s judgment.
Security concerns were also a major factor in the declaration. The President revealed that militants had issued threats and vandalized oil pipelines in the state, while the governor failed to take action. In response, he has ordered security agencies to protect lives, infrastructure, and critical national assets in Rivers State.
To restore governance, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, the judiciary will remain operational, and no new laws will be enacted under the emergency rule. Any necessary regulations will be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that this intervention was necessary to restore peace, order, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
He concluded his address by expressing hope that the intervention would help resolve the crisis and reaffirm the rule of law in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that has crippled governance and security in the region. The declaration, which took effect on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the crisis, emphasizing that the state had been at a standstill for months. He noted that despite multiple interventions—including personal efforts and those of well-meaning Nigerians—the situation had continued to deteriorate.
A key factor in the decision, according to the President, was the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara on December 13, 2023, which, 14 months later, had not been rebuilt. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, had declared that the state was operating without a functional government due to the governor’s actions against the legislative arm.
“The Supreme Court, in its ruling, made it clear that a government cannot exist without one of its three arms. The head of the executive arm has collapsed the legislature to enable himself to govern as a despot. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State,” President Tinubu said, quoting the court’s judgment.
Security concerns were also a major factor in the declaration. The President revealed that militants had issued threats and vandalized oil pipelines in the state, while the governor failed to take action. In response, he has ordered security agencies to protect lives, infrastructure, and critical national assets in Rivers State.
To restore governance, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, the judiciary will remain operational, and no new laws will be enacted under the emergency rule. Any necessary regulations will be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that this intervention was necessary to restore peace, order, and constitutional democracy in Rivers State. The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
He concluded his address by expressing hope that the intervention would help resolve the crisis and reaffirm the rule of law in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
