PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has triggered widespread debate, with prominent political figures either applauding or condemning the move.
The Explainer gathered that the decision, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly for six months, was prompted by the prolonged political crisis in the state.
The political turmoil in Rivers has been festering for months, culminating in violent confrontations and the reported destruction of critical infrastructure, including pipeline bombings. While Tinubu justified the emergency rule as a necessary intervention to restore governance and order, his critics have accused him of political overreach and unconstitutional action.
Supporters Praise Tinubu’s Firmness
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the president’s decision as a necessary step to prevent further chaos. In a statement on his verified Facebook page, he said:
“The declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State is a bold and commendable move that will return sanity to the peace and stability of the state. I also believe this will go a long way to bringing all the major players in the conflict back to their senses. When children refuse to stop fighting, the father must step in lest they burn the house down.”
Similarly, former presidential aide Reno Omokri commended Tinubu, arguing that decisive leadership was needed to resolve the crisis.
He stated, “At last, Nigeria has a Commander-in-Chief rather than a Commander-at-Sleep! A President who is not just in power, but knows what to do with power.”
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) has been appointed as the administrator to oversee Rivers State during the emergency period. Tinubu, in his announcement, emphasised that the action was taken “in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
Critics Condemn ‘Unconstitutional Overreach’
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However, strong opposition has emerged against the president’s move, with critics questioning its legality and political motives.
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, expressed outrage, calling the decision an “absolute Armageddon.”
“This is total disrespect for constituted authority. The Constitution has been viciously violated. We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the highest order. What did Fubara do? As Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu gave Wike soldiers and security agents to destabilise Rivers State. The governor has no control over security agencies, yet he remained calm. Nobody has explained what he did to warrant this dictatorial emergency rule.”
George further likened the situation to past political crises in Nigeria, stating:
“This is exactly how it started in 1962 and 1983. It’s a dress rehearsal for what Tinubu wants to do in 2027. The APC wants to take control of all states through unconstitutional means.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was even more scathing in his criticism, accusing Tinubu of being a “partisan actor” in the Rivers crisis. Atiku argued that the president had failed to prevent the escalation and now sought to benefit politically from the turmoil.
“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal or calculated negligence in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.”
Atiku also linked the crisis to a resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta, warning that Tinubu’s administration was undoing years of stability achieved under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He stated:
“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability—undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.”
Rivers State has been at the centre of political instability since 2023, largely due to tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Explainer gathered that the conflict escalated in December 2024 when the Rivers State House of Assembly attempted to impeach Fubara, a move widely seen as influenced by Wike. The fallout led to a breakdown in governance, violent protests, and attacks on government institutions.
In early 2025, Nigeria experienced a decline in oil production, with daily output decreasing from 1.74 million barrels per day (bpd) in January to 1.67 million bpd in February, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
This decline coincided with reports of sabotage on national infrastructure. In January 2025, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) uncovered 179 incidents of oil theft in the Niger Delta region, including 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries.
Additionally, in December 2024, a militant group known as the Niger Delta Liberation Movement claimed responsibility for attacks on pipelines in the region, further exacerbating the challenges facing Nigeria’s oil industry.
Recent developments have highlighted growing unrest in Rivers State, aligning with concerns about militant activities. For instance, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM) has threatened to attack oil installations in the region over the seizure of allocations due to Rivers State. They have also advised non-indigenes to evacuate the state for their safety, indicating escalating tensions.
Additionally, reports indicate that the NDRM has warned the Federal Government of potential militant resurgence if the political tension in Rivers State is not resolved. They have expressed readiness to destroy oil pipelines in the region, further exacerbating security concerns.
While the Nigerian Constitution allows for a state of emergency under Section 305, legal experts argue that Tinubu’s action raises serious constitutional questions. The Constitution stipulates that a state of emergency must receive National Assembly approval before being enforced. Critics have asked whether Tinubu followed due process, with Bode George stating:
“Did he get National Assembly approval before his broadcast? What happened in Rivers is the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when lawmakers were fighting?”
As Rivers enters this emergency period, attention will be on how Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) manages the crisis and whether peace can be restored.
