President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu announced the decision on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, citing the ongoing political crisis in the state. He stated that despite the constitutional provision requiring the governor or deputy governor to request a state of emergency, their failure to do so necessitated his intervention under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025,” Tinubu stated.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State to oversee governance and restore order.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate,” he added.
