In response to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency, 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.
The decision, announced in a national broadcast on March 18, 2025, follows months of political instability and governance breakdown in the state. The President expressed deep concern over the failure of both the executive and legislative arms to work together, leading to a governance vacuum.
Key Issues Leading to the Emergency Declaration:
Demolition of the State House of Assembly: The governor allegedly destroyed the Assembly building in December 2023 and has failed to rebuild it.
Supreme Court Verdict: A recent ruling declared that the absence of a functional legislature renders the state government non-existent under the 1999 Constitution.
Security Concerns: Reports of militant activities, including pipeline vandalism, have escalated, with the governor allegedly failing to take action.
Breakdown of Governance: The Rivers State budget remains unapproved due to ongoing conflicts between the governor and the Assembly.
Appointment of an Administrator
To restore order, President Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State. While the judicial arm of the government remains functional, the administrator will oversee governance without making new laws, except for necessary regulations approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly, in line with constitutional provisions.
Call for Peace and Stability
President Tinubu expressed hope that this intervention would restore peace, security, and democratic governance in Rivers State, urging all political stakeholders to uphold constitutional principles.
This move marks a significant political shift, with national attention now focused on the next steps for Rivers State’s governance.
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