President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a prolonged political crisis, security threats, and a breakdown of governance in the state.
President Tinubu made the announcement in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In their place, the President has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) as the Administrator of Rivers State, tasked with restoring peace, governance, and security.
However, the judiciary remains unaffected and will continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.
President Tinubu said his decision followed months of failed political interventions and a Supreme Court ruling that declared governance in Rivers State unconstitutional due to the collapse of the legislative arm.
Tinubu emphasized that the federal government could no longer stand by as Rivers State descended into lawlessness and economic stagnation.
He stated that his administration had exhausted peaceful mediation efforts, and the failure of the governor and his deputy to request intervention, as required by the Constitution, forced him to act.
“This is an extraordinary measure to restore good governance, peace, order, and security in Rivers State,” the President declared.