PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
The President made the announcement in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, citing a protracted political crisis that has destabilised the oil-rich state since September 2023.
To oversee governance during the emergency rule, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
“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,” the President stated.
The political crisis in Rivers State has been ongoing for several months, largely fuelled by tensions between Governor Fubara and state lawmakers.
The crisis escalated in late 2023, with factional divisions emerging within the state government. The situation worsened when attempts to resolve the dispute failed, leading to concerns over governance and security.
Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu said the emergency measure was necessary to restore peace and order in the state.
The President explained, “It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
Tinubu confirmed that the proclamation had been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval. Under Nigeria’s legal framework, a state of emergency requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly for validation. This provision serves as a check on executive power, ensuring the decision aligns with constitutional requirements.
Who is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas?
The Explainer reports that Tinubu’s appointee, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, brings extensive military and administrative experience to his new role as Rivers State’s administrator.
Born on 27 September 1960 in Nko, Cross River State, Ibas enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on 20 June 1979. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1983.
His military education includes a master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Ibas also completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India and underwent Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna. His career spans extensive training in amphibious warfare, underwater warfare, and national defence.
Throughout his service, Ibas held several key command positions, including Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, and Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021. Following his retirement, he remained active in national security and maritime affairs, making him a strategic choice for overseeing governance in Rivers State during this period of emergency rule.
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The Explainer recalls that Tinubu’s decision marks the fourth time a state of emergency has been declared in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999.
- Plateau State (2004): President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed emergency rule after ethno-religious violence led to widespread killings and destruction. The governor and state assembly were suspended, and retired Major General Chris Alli was appointed as administrator.
- Ekiti State (2006): A leadership crisis led Obasanjo to declare a state of emergency following the impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose. Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.) was appointed as administrator.
- Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013): President Goodluck Jonathan declared emergency rule due to escalating Boko Haram insurgency. However, unlike previous cases, governors and state assemblies were not suspended; instead, military operations were intensified.
The declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State has sparked political debate. Supporters of the move argue that it is necessary to end the prolonged crisis, while critics warn of potential constitutional and political consequences.
