On Tuesday night, March 19, 2025, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended the state governor Similayalani Fubara and his deputy for six months, and appointed a military administrator in the person of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas for the region.
Citing ongoing political friction between parties and individuals in the state, which escalated to violence among interest groups, and pipeline vandalism, thereby causing security threats, the president validated his action.
The president referred to Section 305(1) of the constitution, which gives him the power to declare a state of emergency in any of the Federation’s states plagued with controversy and security threats.
Some notable political figures and groups have however condemned the president’s decision, saying it is unconstitutional and reckless.
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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) released a press statement, calling Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency illegal, that he has no such power and that the Section 305 of the constitution he relied on does not guarantee such powers. Even if it did, he did not follow due process as provided by the constitution, which involves extensive legislative process by the upper and lower chambers.
The PDP pointed out that Fubara was democratically elected for a period of four years; hence, his suspension is unconstitutional. They also decried the installation of a military administrator, saying Nigeria is not under military rule, hence such an appointment is null and void.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on the other hand, accused Tinubu of being a partisan in the political crisis of Rivers State, saying his refusal to prevent the escalation proves so, however, disgraceful.
He alleged that Tinubu is responsible for everything that went on in Rivers State, including the destruction of national infrastructure. Atiku blamed Tinubu for taking the Niger Delta back to its dark, violent era, thereby undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also condemned Tinubu’s decision of a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying it is unconstitutional and reckless.
He argued that such action has plunged the country back into a state of lawlessness. Peter Obi said the president’s unilateral decision is extreme that the situation in Rivers does not justify it.
The former governor of Anambra State urged the National Assembly and all stakeholders not to allow such a threat to democracy to stand.
