President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing escalating political instability and security threats, including pipeline vandalism. In his nationwide address, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
As part of the emergency measures, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) was appointed as the administrator to oversee the affairs of the state. However, the judiciary remains operational. The decision, officially published in the Federal Gazette, was justified by Tinubu as a necessary intervention to restore governance, peace, and security in Rivers State.
There has been a lot of commentary both in support of and against the decision. The House of Assembly, at the time, was planning to impeach the Governor. They had even published the notice of impeachment against him and made it clear that they would not work with him. Governor Fubara himself, for a long period, did not recognize the House members. He destroyed the Assembly complex, expended the 2024 budget without their approval, and even appointed commissioners without the Assembly—outrightly disobeying the constitution.
The Problem
The crisis in Rivers State did not start overnight. The political tension between Governor Similayi Fubara and the House of Assembly had reached a boiling point, with both sides refusing to acknowledge each other’s authority. The lawmakers saw the Governor’s actions—approving the budget and making appointments without their consent—as unconstitutional, while the Governor viewed the Assembly as an opposition tool against his administration.
This deadlock created a governance vacuum, with state affairs suffering. The destruction of the Assembly complex further escalated tensions, making legislative activities impossible. The situation became so dire that federal intervention was inevitable. However, the President’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend the elected government raises serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
The Real Losers
- The People of Rivers State – The ordinary citizens who voted for their leaders are the biggest losers. With the suspension of the state government, governance will now be in the hands of federal-appointed administrators. Development projects may be stalled, and service delivery could suffer.
- Democracy and Constitutional Order – Suspending a democratically elected government, even in times of crisis, sets a dangerous precedent. It raises questions about the federal government’s power over states and whether this approach will become a pattern for resolving political disputes.
- Governor Similayi Fubara and His Supporters – With his suspension, Fubara loses the authority to lead, and his political future is now uncertain. His loyalists within the government may also be sidelined, weakening his political influence in the state.
The Winners
- The Federal Government – By taking control of the state, the federal government now has the authority to manage its affairs, at least for the next six months. This may allow it to impose its own political order and influence governance in Rivers State.
- Opposition Political Forces – Those who opposed Fubara’s administration may see this as an opportunity to reposition themselves politically. With the Governor and Assembly out of the way, power dynamics in the state could shift in favor of other political actors.
- The Security Agencies – The crisis provides security forces with more operational power in the state. With emergency powers, law enforcement agencies may act with fewer restrictions, which could either stabilize the situation or lead to further controversies.
The Way Forward
- Respect for Constitutional Processes – The resolution of this crisis should be based on constitutional provisions. If Governor Fubara was in violation of the law, the appropriate legal processes should have been followed rather than a direct suspension of the state government.
- Dialogue and Political Reconciliation – The crisis in Rivers State is largely political, and the best way forward is dialogue between all stakeholders. The Governor, House of Assembly members, and political leaders in the state must come to a compromise to restore governance.
- Judicial Intervention – The courts should play a role in determining the legality of the state of emergency declaration. If it is deemed unconstitutional, steps should be taken to reverse it and reinstate democratic governance.
- Clearer Guidelines for Federal Intervention – This situation highlights the need for clearer legal frameworks guiding federal intervention in state matters. Nigeria’s democracy must be protected from excessive executive interference.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has set a precedent in Nigeria’s democratic journey. While it might provide temporary stability, it raises significant legal and political questions that will shape the country’s governance in the coming years, I hope we do not slip back to the ages of decree and authoritarianism.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
