Why Tinubu Suspended Rivers Executive, Legislative Arm

Fubara goes into hiding | Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) steps in | Mixed reactions trail president’s decision

In a bold move to address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday declared a state of emergency, suspending the executive and legislative arms of the state government.

The decision, announced in a nationwide broadcast, came after months of political instability, constitutional breaches, and a failure to restore democratic governance in the oil-rich state.

This came moment after the President convened an emergency security meeting with service chiefs in State House, Abuja.

Governor Fubara’s current whereabouts remain unknown, as reactions to President Tinubu’s decision continue to pour in.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the action, calling it one carried out in bad faith. Atiku’s stance was supported by former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, Bode George, and others, who strongly condemned the president’s intervention.

The crisis in Rivers State reached a boiling point following a series of unconstitutional actions by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, including the demolition of the State House of Assembly on December 13, 2023. Despite repeated interventions by President Tinubu, leaders of thought, and patriotic groups, the governor and other stakeholders failed to resolve the impasse, leaving the state in a state of paralysis.

President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the situation, stating, “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.”

He stressed that the crisis had rendered the state ungovernable, with the executive and legislative arms unable to work together for the peace and development of Rivers State.

The Supreme Court’s judgment on February 28, 2025, further highlighted the gravity of the situation. The court ruled that Governor Fubara had effectively collapsed the legislative arm of government, rendering it non-existent. The court also affirmed that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had allegedly defected, remained valid members and could not be prevented from performing their duties.

Despite the court’s orders, including the passage of an Appropriation Bill, the governor and the House of Assembly failed to comply, exacerbating the crisis.

Adding to the turmoil, militant groups have threatened violence and vandalized oil pipelines, with the governor allegedly failing to take decisive action to curb their activities.

President Tinubu condemned these acts, stating, “The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them.”

In response, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The declaration suspends Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.

The Administrator will not have the power to make new laws but will be authorised to formulate regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President. The judicial arm of the state, however, will remain unaffected and continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.

President Tinubu expressed hope that the intervention would restore peace, order, and good governance in Rivers State, urging all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of the people.

“It 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,” he said.

The declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Fubara Goes into Hiding

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s whereabouts remain unconfirmed since the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Reports indicate he went missing after military vehicles were deployed to the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night.

Following President Tinubu’s announcement, around 10 military trucks were seen patrolling near the Government House, with armored vehicles stationed at key entrances.

Reports have it that Governor Fubara may have foreseen the state of emergency declaration. It was reported that he held series of meetings with members of the now suspended State Executive Council earlier in the day.

As of the time of reporting, Governor Fubara has neither issued a statement nor addressed the media concerning his suspension by the federal government.

Ibok-Ete takes over interim reign

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, is a retired Vice Admiral and the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy (2015–2021). He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983.

Ibas attended Nko Primary School, Hope Waddell Training Institute, and the School of Basic Studies before joining the NDA. He pursued numerous military courses, including training in India, the US, and Pakistan, earning a master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University.

His career includes key roles such as commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School, director at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Chief of Logistics. He was appointed CNS in 2015 and honored with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.

Ibas is a member of professional organizations like the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and has attended international seminars, including programs at Harvard Kennedy School.

Shehu Sani: Decision only constitutional mechanism to restor peace

Senator Shehu Sani, has described the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by the president as one decision that stands as the sole constitutional mechanism to restore law and order in the region. Previous attempts, whether judicial, political, or even spiritual, have failed to reconcile the conflicting parties and bring about lasting peace. Given Rivers State’s critical role in ensuring the nation’s economic stability, the urgency of resolving this crisis cannot be overstated.

“The State of emergency declared on Rivers State remains the only constitutional instrument to restore law and order in the state. Judicial, Political and even Spiritual solutions failed to bring the gladiators to peace.The importance of Rivers State to the economic stability of the country cannot be ignored”, he said.

Atiku, Sareike, Bode Gorege slam Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday took a sweep President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the move as “political manipulation and outright bad faith.”

In a tweet on Tuesday, the 2023 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate accused President Tinubu of being “a vested partisan actor” in the political crisis in Rivers State.

The former vice President wrote, “The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith.

“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.

“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.

“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability, undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.

“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and @officialABAT ’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

Seriake Dickson- A troubling and disturbing development for Nigeria

Former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed deep concern over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a shocking and troubling development.

Seriake in a post shared on his official Facebook account, stressed that while he acknowledges the prolonged political disputes in the state, he strongly opposes the declaration of a state of emergency, particularly if it results in the removal of the governor and deputy governor from office for six months.

He argued that such a move contradicts the spirit of the constitution and undermines democratic principles. Dickson reiterated that he has consistently opposed similar actions in the past, even during the tenure of a PDP-led federal government, maintaining that elected officials should remain in office even during emergencies.

The former governor lamented the current state of affairs in Rivers State, questioning whether this is the fate of the Ijaw nation that he and others fought tirelessly to build. He described the declaration of a state of emergency as a sad day for democracy, Rivers State, and the Ijaw people. Dickson urged his fellow citizens to remain resilient and thoughtful during this challenging period, calling for collective action to overcome the crisis.

Bode Gorege: Tinubu action disrespectful for constituted authority

In a related development, Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, labeling it a blatant violation of constitutional authority.

George, reacting to the announcement, described the move as “absolute Armageddon” and a “total disrespect for constituted authority.” He further stated, “The Constitution has been viciously violated,” expressing strong disapproval of the decision.

He said: “We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the highest order. What did Fubara do? As Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu gave Wike soldiers and security agents to destabilize Rivers State. The governor has no control over security agencies, yet he remained calm. Nobody has explained what he did to warrant this dictatorial emergency rule.”

George likened the situation to past political crises, stating, “This is exactly how it started in 1962 and 1983. It’s a dress rehearsal for what Tinubu wants to do in 2027. The APC wants to take control of all states through unconstitutional means.”

He questioned the legality of Tinubu’s actions, asking, “Did he get National Assembly approval before his broadcast? What happened in Rivers is the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when lawmakers were fighting? Why invite Diete-Spiff and Niger Delta leaders last week if he already planned this?”

NBA Faults Tinubu

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing the purported suspension of the state’s democratically elected governor, deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly as “unconstitutional, unlawful, and a dangerous affront to Nigeria’s democracy.”

This was contained in statement issued on Tuesday, by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, expressed grave concerns over the President’s actions, which were announced in a national address earlier in the day.

President Tinubu had cited “prevailing political tension” and the “vandalization of pipelines” as reasons for declaring a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

However, the NBA argued that the President’s actions violated the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), particularly Section 305, which outlines the conditions and procedures for declaring a state of emergency.

NBA President Reacts: “State of Emergency in Rivers: Suspension or Otherwise, Summary Removal of a Democratically Elected Governor and Other Elected Officials is Unconstitutional”.

In the statement, Osigwe stressed that while Section 305 grants the President the power to declare a state of emergency, it does not authorize the suspension or removal of elected officials. He noted that the Constitution provides clear procedures for the removal of a governor, deputy governor, or members of a state legislature, none of which were followed in this case.

“A declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments,” Osigwe stated. “The Constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove or replace elected officials—such actions amount to an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s federal structure.”

The NBA also questioned whether the political crisis in Rivers State met the constitutional threshold for declaring a state of emergency. Section 305(3) specifies conditions such as war, external aggression, a breakdown of public order, or a natural disaster, none of which, according to the NBA, apply to the current situation in Rivers State.

“Political disagreements, legislative conflicts, or executive-legislative tensions do not constitute a justification for emergency rule,” the statement read. “Such conflicts should be resolved through legal and constitutional mechanisms, including the judiciary, rather than executive fiat.”