President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in River State, leaving the State Governor and 32 lawmakers suspended.
Read the President full text of address below:
TEXT OF THE BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
Fellow Nigerians,
I address you today with deep concern over the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I had hoped that the parties involved would resolve their differences amicably. However, despite numerous interventions, the crisis persists, paralyzing governance and depriving the people of Rivers State of the dividends of democracy.
One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the deliberate demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Governor on December 13, 2023. Fourteen months later, the Assembly remains in ruins, with no effort made to rebuild it. My administration, alongside other well-meaning Nigerians and patriotic groups, has made several attempts to mediate in this crisis, but all efforts have been disregarded.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled on multiple appeals related to the crisis, citing grave constitutional violations by the Governor. The court unequivocally stated:
> “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 has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern as a despot. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State.”
Furthermore, the court affirmed that the 27 legislators who were allegedly expelled remain valid members of the House and cannot be prevented from performing their duties by the Governor and a small faction of lawmakers. The court also ordered the immediate passage of an Appropriation Bill, which has yet to be facilitated.
Adding to the instability, militant groups loyal to the Governor have issued threats against his perceived opponents, yet he has not disavowed their actions. Security reports indicate a rise in acts of sabotage, including pipeline vandalization, with no decisive action from the state government.
Given these troubling developments, I cannot stand by while Rivers State descends further into chaos. The Constitution mandates that I take necessary measures to restore order and governance. Despite the failure of the Governor and Deputy Governor to request federal intervention as required under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I am compelled to act in the national interest.
Therefore, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective today, March 18, 2025.
As a consequence of this declaration:
The Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are suspended for an initial period of six months.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) is appointed as the Administrator of Rivers State to oversee governance and restore order.
The judiciary remains unaffected and will continue to function within its constitutional mandate.
The Administrator will not enact new laws but may issue necessary regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President.
This declaration has been officially published in the Federal Gazette, and a copy has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with constitutional requirements.
It is my hope that this intervention will restore peace, ensure good governance, and reaffirm the constitutional obligations of all political actors in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Long live a united, peaceful, and democratic Rivers State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
