FULL TEXT: Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency, Suspends Fubara, Deputy

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

Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas has been appointed as the state administrator to restore order.

TEXT OF THE BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025

Fellow Nigerians,

I address you today with great concern over the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I had hoped that reason would prevail among the parties involved, but that hope has been dashed. The ongoing turmoil has paralyzed governance in the state, denying the people the dividends of democracy.

It is well known that the Governor of Rivers State, for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly building on December 13, 2023. Fourteen months later, it has not been rebuilt. Despite my personal interventions and the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians to mediate, the crisis persists.

On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment on several cases related to this crisis, highlighting unconstitutional actions by the Governor. The Court declared:

“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution. In this case, the head of the executive arm has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern as a despot. As it is, there is no government in Rivers State.”

The Court affirmed that the 27 lawmakers who were allegedly removed remain legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and must be allowed to perform their duties. Furthermore, the Court directed the immediate passage of an Appropriation Bill to restore constitutional governance, but this order has not been followed.

Given these grave circumstances and the continued breakdown of law and order, I have no choice but to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State to restore democratic governance and protect the rights of the people. Effective immediately, all necessary measures will be taken to ensure stability and uphold the rule of law.

Some militants have threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemies of the governor, who has up till now NOT disowned them. Apart from that, both the House and the governor have failed to work together. They do not realize that they are in office to serve the people and ensure peace and good governance in the state.

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The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of pipeline vandalization by militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course, given a stern order to the security agencies to ensure the safety of the good people of Rivers State and the protection of vital oil infrastructure.

With all these and more, no responsible President will stand by and allow such a grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps as prescribed by the Constitution. Rivers State undoubtedly requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order, and security.

Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation, and with the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State failing to request a presidential proclamation as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it has become inevitable for me to invoke the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective today, 18th March 2025.

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 its constitutional mandate.

The Administrator will not make any new laws. However, he will be free to formulate necessary regulations for effective governance. These regulations will require consideration and approval by the Federal Executive Council before being promulgated by the President for the state.

This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this necessary intervention will help restore peace and order in Rivers State by reminding all political actors of their constitutional responsibilities.

Long live a united, peaceful, secure, and democratic Rivers State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
March 18, 2025

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