President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi, Odu.
Also suspended are all the legislators of the House of Assembly.
The president announced the state of emergency on Monday in a nationwide broadcast.
He hinged his decision on the political crisis that has engulfed the state with the Executive and Legislative arms have been at loggerheads.
He said with the failure of efforts by him and other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to resolve the crisis, it became necessary for him to “invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.”
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He asserted that “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
He declared that following the suspension he had nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
He however said the declaration did not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, “which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
He explained that the Administrator would not make any new laws.
“He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”
