March 19, 2025 – Rivers, Nigeria.
In an act of courage to settle the surge political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu issued the state of emergency declaration on Tuesday, effectively suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all other members of the State House of Assembly for a period of six months. The move followed a long period of political instability in the state and the recent blaze in the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Ogoniland, which has created concerns regarding the region’s security and economic health.
In a live television national address, President Tinubu clarified that things became untenable in Rivers. “The state was brought to a standstill, and citizens were denied good governance,” he added. The president linked Fubara’s actions, including the controversial December 2023 demolition of the State House of Assembly complex, which has yet to be rebuilt, as a key cause of the state’s stagnation. Tinubu referred to the demolition as an “unjustifiable act” that crippled legislative governance in a big way.
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As one of the measures taken in emergency, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to manage the affairs of the state. Tinubu explained that Ibas, while taking over the reins of administration, would not be in a position to introduce new laws without the approval of the federal government. His responsibility would be confined to bringing stability, order, and the uninterrupted functioning of the government machinery of the state, including the judiciary, which remains intact.
Ibas’ task is urgent. The explosion of the TNP pipeline has increased an already tense security atmosphere, and along with it, fear of destruction and sabotage of strategic oil infrastructure. Tinubu’s administration has pledged to securing strategic infrastructure and protecting citizens from further attacks. “I have instructed security agencies to offer protection for lives, property, and our strategic oil assets,” said the president.
The presidential move has elicited scathing responses across the country, with leading political actors and parties condemning the move. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) questioned Tinubu’s constitutional authority to remove an elected governor, arguing that the move was against democratic norms. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the statement, describing it as smelling of political duplicity and bad faith.
Also, Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called the announcement “absolute Armageddon,” condemning the move as a violation of constitutional rights. Some Niger Delta monarchs, including HRM King Dodo II of Bilabiri Kingdom and HRH King-Jerry Prebor of Warri, have also called for action against former Governor Nyesom Wike, accusing him of causing unrest in the region.
The row boiled when former Governor of Bayelsa State Seriake Dickson lamented his objection against the suspension. Suspension, according to Dickson, is not one of the consequences one would anticipate by a declaration of state of emergency, and he denigrated the decision as an insult to the Ijaw nation.
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The trigger for Tinubu’s intervention is the deepening Rivers political crisis, highlighted by the illegal shutdown of the Rivers House of Assembly and defiance by the government to comply with the February 28, 2025 Supreme Court ruling. The court had ruled that 27 opposition APC lawmakers who defected from the PDP would be allowed to resume work but the Fubara-led state government blocked their way.
In addition to the political crisis, Rivers has also seen a rise in militant activity, with recent oil facility attacks attributed to political tensions. The Trans Niger Pipeline explosion, which ruptured on Monday night, is a somber reminder of the chaos in the region. Witnesses reported a blinding boom followed by a massive fireball, and experts have warned that there will be severe environmental and economic devastation.
Niger Delta advocacy groups have also issued statements on the issue. The Niger Delta Intelligentsia Team (NDIT) blamed the explosion on political instability, suggesting that Governor Fubara’s rifts with his political opponents may have driven the attack. On the other hand, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) dismissed the political connection, blaming sabotage for the explosion instead.
Governor Fubara, in response to the suspension, urged Rivers State people to remain calm and law-abiding as he meets with the institutions to guarantee the survival of democracy. Fubara insisted that his administration has remained committed to constitutional order, in spite of the political stalemate.
“Lives and property have always been our concern for safety,” Fubara stated in a public declaration. He acknowledged that there were political differences but assured that the state had remained on the move, with public services and infrastructure projects still in place. He called on the Rivers people to remain steadfast and committed to peace in the midst of the challenging situation.
However, Fubara’s words have done little to calm the rising restiveness in the state, as his leadership has been questioned by many with allegations of incompetence and disregard for the rule of law gaining momentum.
After the explosion, the Rivers State Police Command also stated that two suspects said to be behind the attack on the pipeline have been arrested. Even if the cause of the explosion is still unclear, investigations are already ongoing and security agencies have been required to be on red alert in order to prevent further attacks on strategic infrastructure.
The explosion at the TNP has triggered sabotage concerns in a highly charged area. The pipeline, a flagship pipeline for crude export from the Niger Delta to export terminals, has been a frequent target of militancy and vandalism attacks, exacerbating Nigeria’s perennial oil security problems.
The state of emergency in Rivers State is a bold and controversial move by President Tinubu to reclaim control of a region embroiled in political turmoil and security problems. The suspension of Governor Fubara and other state executives underscore the gravity of the situation, but was also met with fierce backlash by political stakeholders and civil society groups who argue that such actions are against the very principles of democracy.
As the Rivers political crisis further unfolds, the country remains polarized on whether action should be taken. The coming months will be critical to whether Tinubu’s action stabilizes the state or widens the divisions that have defined the region.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka