In a decisive move to halt the escalating chaos in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wielded the big stick yesterday, declaring a state of emergency that swept away the major actors in the state’s intractable political crisis. Governor Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and the House of Assembly members led by Speaker Martins Chike Amaewhule were all suspended “for an initial period of six months.” Taking the helm of the oil-rich state as of last night is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, tasked with steering Rivers back to stability.
The announcement came during a nationwide broadcast following a marathon emergency security meeting at Aso Villa, Abuja, where President Tinubu convened his security chiefs and the leadership of the Federal Legislature. The decision was triggered by a series of alarming events, including an explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in the early hours of March 18, 2025, near Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area. This critical pipeline, which transports crude oil to the Bonny export terminal, was followed by another blast less than 24 hours later at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. These incidents underscored the growing security threats tied to the state’s political turmoil.
Invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to intervene when governance is under threat, Tinubu explained the necessity of his action. “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and with the Governor and Deputy Governor failing to request a proclamation as required by the Constitution, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution,” he stated. He emphasized that the move was aimed at restoring effective governance and ensuring stability in a state that has been paralyzed by conflict.
The roots of the crisis lie in the bitter feud between Governor Fubara and 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Fubara’s predecessor. The tension, which had been simmering since 2023, took a violent turn after a Supreme Court judgment condemned the absence of a functioning legislature in the state, declaring that “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state.” The situation escalated further with threats from unidentified groups claiming to support Fubara, vowing to target the nation’s oil infrastructure—a threat that materialized with the pipeline explosions.
President Tinubu’s emergency security meeting included key figures such as National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Director-General of the Department of State Service Tosin Ajayi, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. Legislative leaders present included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
In his address, Tinubu expressed dismay at the deteriorating situation. “I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State,” he said. “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, depriving its people of the dividends of democracy.” He cited constitutional breaches, including the destruction of the House of Assembly complex in December 2023 and the governor’s failure to rebuild it 14 months later, as well as the recent pipeline vandalism by militants. “Between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them,” he noted, adding, “I have given stern orders to security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and oil infrastructure in Rivers State.”
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) was nominated as the state’s administrator to oversee its affairs during this six-month period. “I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” Tinubu declared. He clarified that while the executive and legislative arms are suspended, “this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate.” Ibas will not have the power to enact new laws but can introduce regulations with Federal Executive Council approval.
Reflecting on the persistent crisis despite numerous interventions, Tinubu lamented, “No good and responsible President will stand by and allow this grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps.” The emergency declaration has been gazetted and forwarded to the National Assembly as required by law. Closing his address, he expressed optimism that the intervention would mark a turning point. “It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help restore peace and order in Rivers State,” he said, urging political actors nationwide to heed the constitutional imperatives at stake.
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