President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers over political instability and security concerns. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as Administrator. The move aims to restore governance amid rising tensions and legislative dysfunction.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months. The decision follows months of political instability, legislative dysfunction, and security concerns, including pipeline vandalism.
In a national broadcast, Tinubu expressed deep concern over the prolonged crisis, citing the Supreme Court's ruling that the state government had collapsed due to executive interference in the legislature. The President criticized Fubara for failing to rebuild the demolished State Assembly complex and for allegedly fostering an environment of lawlessness.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the Administrator to oversee the state's affairs during the emergency period. Tinubu emphasized that the judiciary remains unaffected and urged all political actors to uphold constitutional democracy.
The declaration has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising it as a necessary step to restore governance, while others view it as federal overreach. As Rivers State grapples with this unprecedented intervention, the nation watches closely to see if stability can be restored.
