President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has ignited fierce political controversy, with opposition leaders, legal experts, and regional groups condemning the move as an attack on democracy.
Announced during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected state legislators for six months.
In their place, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as the Administrator of Rivers State, citing the need to restore order.
While the judiciary remains untouched, Ibas is restricted from making new laws, with all governance decisions requiring Federal Executive Council approval.
Tinubu defended the move as constitutionally backed, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that questioned the legitimacy of Rivers’ government amid its political crisis.
APC’s Justification
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement on Tuesday, signed by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, blamed Fubara for the turmoil, accusing him of dismantling democratic structures.
“Fubara destroyed the very foundation of democracy in the state,” APC spokesperson Felix Morka stated, arguing that Tinubu’s intervention was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle echoed this, in a press release, calling the emergency rule a “decisive action” to stabilise the state. He warned that security forces were on high alert to prevent any attacks on government facilities.
PDP, Atiku, Ijaw Leaders Reject Move
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the emergency declaration, calling it an unconstitutional power grab.
“The President has no powers to suspend a democratically elected governor,” PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba stated, accusing Tinubu of attempting “state capture” to install an unelected leader.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticised Tinubu’s role in the crisis, accusing him of political manipulation.
“Anyone paying attention knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in Rivers’ turmoil,” he wrote on X. He blamed the President for allowing tensions to escalate and warned that the move threatened Nigeria’s democracy.
Ijaw leaders have vowed to resist the declaration, arguing that the crisis was artificially created to justify federal intervention.
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Ijaw Youth Council President Dr. Alaye Theophilus accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of instigating the crisis to maintain control over Rivers.
“We will never accept this decision,” he said, alleging that a recent attack on an oil pipeline was staged to provide justification for the emergency rule.
Professor Benjamin Okaba of the Ijaw National Congress also questioned the legality of the move, calling it “hasty” and unconstitutional.
NBA, Lawyers Legislators Call Tinubu’s Decision ‘Unconstitutional’
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in a strongly worded statement on Monday, by its president, Afam Osigwe, described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers as unlawful.
“The purported removal of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, and a dangerous affront to our nation’s democracy,” the association stated.
It further warned that emergency rule does not grant the President the power to remove elected officials and urged the National Assembly to reject any attempt to legitimise the move.
“The 1999 Constitution does not grant the President the power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of a state’s legislature under the guise of a state of emergency.
“We call on all relevant authorities to act in accordance with the law and the best interest of the country. Nigeria’s democracy must be protected at all costs, and the Constitution must be upheld as the supreme legal authority in all circumstances, ”he stated.
Lawyer Inibehe Effiong, argued that Tinubu has overstepped his constitutional powers.
“The emergency powers under the 1999 Constitution do not grant the President authority to suspend a governor or state legislators,” Effiong asserted.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stressed that the National Assembly must approve the declaration before it can take effect. “The Constitution is clear that the National Assembly will have to approve it,” he said, suggesting that the legislative process remains uncertain.
What Next for Rivers State?
The declaration has set off a fierce legal and political battle, with many questioning whether the National Assembly will ratify the emergency rule or push back against Tinubu’s intervention.
As Rivers becomes the latest flashpoint in Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape, the fallout could shape the country’s democratic trajectory in the coming months.