“It has become imperative to declare a state of emergency. By this declaration, Governor Fubara is hereby suspended.”
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis and breakdown of governance. He made the announcement during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night.
Expressing deep concern over the situation, Tinubu stated: “Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.
”With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
“Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
“On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
The president noted that although the Supreme Court issued orders aimed at restoring constitutional democracy in the state, the parties involved in the crisis failed to embrace peace.
“Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.
“Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together. Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.
”I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance. Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did, but their efforts have been to no avail.
“No responsible President will stand by without taking action. To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency. By this declaration, Governor Fubara is hereby suspended.”
Escalation of violence and oil facility explosions
The decision came just hours after another explosion rocked an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. Additionally, the Trans-Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), went up in flames on the same day, further escalating tensions in the oil-rich state.
READ ALSO: Pro-Wike, Fubara lawmakers lock horns over governor’s spending powers
High-level security meeting at the presidential villa
Earlier on Tuesday, President Tinubu convened an emergency meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa with his service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police. The meeting, which commenced around 3 p.m., was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Protracted power struggle between Fubara and Wike
The political unrest in Rivers State has persisted since Governor Siminalayi Fubara assumed office, with a prolonged feud between him and his former political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The rivalry stems from a power struggle over the state’s political structure.
Tensions peaked on March 12, 2025, when pro-Wike lawmakers denied Governor Fubara access to the Assembly Quarters as he attempted to re-present the 2025 state budget, following the Supreme Court’s February 28 verdict. The governor claimed he had informed Speaker Martins Amaewhule of his visit, but the Assembly insisted it received no such communication.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, Wike told journalists that lawmakers had every right to impeach the governor, accusing Fubara of withholding legislators’ salaries for months an impeachable offence. Shortly after, pro-Wike lawmakers served a notice of misconduct on the governor and adjourned indefinitely.
The deepening political crisis has been compounded by reports of pipeline explosions and threats of mass protests by civil servants against the pro-Wike faction in the state assembly.
Amid widespread speculation, Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency now allows him to enact necessary regulations to restore public order and safety in Rivers State.
