- President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and state lawmakers for six months due to a prolonged political crisis.
- He appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as administrator, with limited powers, to restore constitutional order amid threats to oil infrastructure and public safety.
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, due to the ongoing political crisis.
Earlier in the day, he met with security chiefs and National Assembly leaders at the State House to discuss the situation. The political conflict between the executive and legislative arms of the state government had stalled governance.
Rivers State plays a key role in Nigeria’s crude oil production. Armed groups supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara had threatened to attack oil facilities. On Monday and Tuesday, explosions damaged the state’s energy infrastructure just hours before Tinubu’s security meeting.
The president said these events made invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution necessary.
“It is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State demolished the House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, without justification. Fourteen months later, he has not rebuilt it,” Tinubu stated.
He said he had personally tried to resolve the crisis, but his efforts were ignored. Other leaders and groups had also intervened but failed to bring peace. On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Rivers State lacked a functioning government. The court found Governor Fubara guilty of several constitutional violations.
The ruling confirmed that 27 allegedly defected lawmakers were still legal members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court also ordered the immediate passage of a budget, but this had not happened.
Tinubu said he had no choice but to act. “I hereby declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective today, March 18, 2025,” he announced.
As a result, Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected House of Assembly members are suspended for six months.
Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state’s administrator. However, Ibas can only perform administrative duties. He cannot make laws or interfere with the judiciary. If he needs to issue regulations, he must seek approval from the Federal Executive Council.
No president has declared a state of emergency under these circumstances since 1999. This decision marked a new approach to handling political crises in Nigeria.