President Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers state, suspends Gov Fubara, deputy and state House of Assembly members for six months

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for six months.

In a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025, Tinubu cited their failure to request his intervention as required by the Constitution. He invoked Section 305 to justify the decision.

To oversee the state’s affairs, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator. However, he clarified that the judiciary would remain unaffected and continue its duties as mandated by the Constitution.

He said; “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me 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.

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.”

In the meantime, I hereby nominate 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. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”