Our Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the persistent political crisis that has plagued the state.
The declaration, made in a nationwide address on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The President’s decision comes after the Supreme Court’s judgment on February 28, 2025, which found the Governor guilty of unconstitutional acts and disregard for the rule of law.
The court pronounced that “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”.
Tinubu has nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs. The Administrator will not make new laws but can formulate regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President.
The declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution.
The President hopes this intervention will restore peace and order in Rivers State
