In a decisive move to address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. This announcement was made during a nationwide broadcast, marking a significant intervention in the governance of the state.

The declaration comes after months of political instability and governance challenges that have left the state in a state of paralysis. President Tinubu cited the persistent inability of the Rivers State government to uphold constitutional democracy as a key factor in his decision.

He emphasized that the crisis had reached a point where democratic governance could no longer thrive, depriving the people of Rivers State of the dividends of democracy.

As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of six months. In their place, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the Sole Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.

The President’s decision follows a Supreme Court judgment on February 28, 2025, which highlighted grave constitutional breaches by the Rivers State government. The court had declared that the absence of a functioning legislature rendered the state government non-existent under the 1999 Constitution. Despite multiple interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and leaders of thought, the crisis remained unresolved, necessitating federal action.

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the state of emergency is a temporary measure aimed at restoring peace, stability, and constitutional order in Rivers State. He called on the people of the state to remain calm and cooperate with the federal government during this period.

This development has sparked widespread reactions across the country, with many expressing hope that the intervention will bring lasting solutions to the challenges facing Rivers State. However, critics have raised concerns about the implications of the state of emergency on democratic governance and the autonomy of states.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of this intervention and its impact on the political landscape of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.