The political crisis in Rivers State has forced President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the State with effect from March 18th, 2025.

President Tinubu who announced this in a nationwide broadcast yesterday evening, attributed the declaration to persistent political unrest that has disrupted governance and security in Rivers state, security concerns, including militant threats and vandalization of pipelines.

Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling that the state lacks a functioning government, the President Tinubu said Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of Six-months, while he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers state. 

Our Correspondent, Raliat Adenekan reports that the President however stressed that the judiciary will continue to function normally, and that no new laws will be made, except for necessary regulations approved by the Federal Executive Council.

President Tinubu added that his declaration has been officially gazetted and forwarded to the National Assembly for ratification, while hoping that this intervention will help restore peace, order, and good governance in Rivers State.