The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had this to say: Fellow Nigerians, The direction we have taken about the political crisis in Rivers State deeply disturbs me. I have observed the developments with anxiety, like many of you, hoping that the parties involved will enable common sense to win out as quickly as possible. However, all of that hope has burnt out without a solution to the situation.
Democratic governance, for which we have all battled and struggled over the years, cannot flourish in a way that will ultimately benefit the state’s good citizens as long as the crisis continues. Since the beginning of the crisis, the state has been at a halt, preventing its good citizens from enjoying the benefits of democracy. Additionally, it is well known that the governor of Rivers State destroyed the state’s House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, for unjustified reasons, and that it hasn’t been rebuilt as of yet, fourteen (14) months later. I have personally intervened between the opposing groups in an attempt to find a peaceful solution to the situation, but the parties have mostly disregarded my attempts. I also know that several well-meaning Nigerians, intellectuals, and patriotic organisations have attempted to fix the issue at different points in time with the best of intentions, but all of their attempts have failed. However, I am grateful to them.
The Supreme Court, in a ruling on February 28, 2025, regarding eight consolidated appeals about the political crisis in Rivers State, stated unequivocally that the Governor of Rivers State had committed several serious unconstitutional acts and a disregard for the rule of law, as demonstrated by the evidence presented to it:
“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
Following several court rulings alleging constitutional violations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the aforementioned declaration was made. Proceeding with their ruling and concluding that 27 House members who had purportedly defected:
“Are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”
After that, the Supreme Court issued a few directives to immediately return the state to constitutional democracy. These directives include the Rivers State House of Assembly enacting an appropriation bill right away, which hasn’t been done thus far.
Some militants have promised fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor, who has up till now, NOT forsaken them. Other than that, the governor and the House have not been able to cooperate.
They are both unaware that their roles in office are to cooperate for the state’s peace and effective governance.
According to the most recent security reports I was given, there have been alarming instances of militants damaging pipelines between yesterday and today, and the governor has done nothing to stop them. I have, of course, given strict instructions to the security agencies to ensure the safety of the lives of the decent people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
Given all of these and many more, no decent and responsible president will watch helplessly as the dire circumstances persist without implementing the constitutionally mandated corrective actions to address the state’s predicament, which undoubtedly calls for drastic measures to restore peace, order, security, and good governance.
It has become imperative that I use section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, after carefully considering and assessing the political situation in Rivers State.
BrandSpur Nigeria news today reports the President’s declaration that the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State have not requested that I, as President, issue this proclamation, as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
With this announcement, all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, together with the governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, are suspended for a first six months. To manage the state’s business in the best interests of Rivers State’s decent citizens, I therefore designate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator.
To be clear, this proclamation has no bearing on Rivers State’s judiciary, which will continue to operate in line with its constitutional duty.
No new laws will be made by the Administrator. However, he will have the freedom to create any regulations that he deems necessary to carry out his duties; however, these must be reviewed and approved by the Federal Executive Council before being issued by the state president. This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly following the Constitution.
Continuing, he stated that is is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general and Rivers State in particular, unified, peaceful, safe, and democratic.
