President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
The President's move is aimed at addressing the prolonged political crisis that has paralyzed the state government.
To restore order, President Tinubu instructed security agencies to protect vital national assets and appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator of Rivers State.
Ibas will oversee governance, but any new laws will require approval from the Federal Executive Council and be promulgated by the President.
The emergency declaration has been documented in the Federal Gazette and submitted to the National Assembly.
The crisis began with the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Fubara in December 2023, which President Tinubu described as an unjustifiable act and despite several intervention efforts, the crisis remained unresolved, with the state lacking a functional legislative arm.
A Supreme Court judgment delivered on February 28, 2025, found Governor Fubara guilty of grave constitutional violations, reaffirming that 27 excluded lawmakers remain legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu also cited threats from militant groups and pipeline vandalism, which Governor Fubara failed to address.
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