In the wake of a deepening political crisis in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended from office following a declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged the people of the state to remain calm.
Addressing Rivers residents on Wednesday, Fubara reassured them of his commitment to peace and constitutional order despite the turbulence rocking the state’s political landscape.
“I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history,” Fubara stated in a personally signed message. “Even in the face of the political impasse, we have remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else.”
Fubara highlighted his administration’s efforts to comply with national directives, including the Supreme Court’s ruling and President Tinubu’s earlier intervention to broker peace. However, he lamented the continued hostility from a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, whom he accused of frustrating reconciliation efforts.
The suspended governor insisted that his priorities had always been the security and welfare of the people, emphasizing that governance had not come to a halt under his watch.
“At this critical time, I urge all Rivers people to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We will engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong and that Rivers State continues to thrive,” he reassured citizens.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, marks a significant turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history. The six-month suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected state lawmakers signals a federal intervention into state governance not seen since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
In his nationwide address, President Tinubu justified the decision as a necessary step to restore order, citing a prolonged and escalating power struggle between the governor and lawmakers that had paralyzed governance in the oil-rich 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,” Tinubu announced. He further appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the administrator of the state, temporarily overseeing governance.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for months, stemming from a rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Once allies, their relationship soured over issues of political control, leading to a bitter struggle between their loyalists within the state assembly.
The conflict escalated when lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara late last year, an effort widely perceived as orchestrated by forces loyal to Wike. In response, Fubara’s administration took drastic actions, including the demolition of the state assembly complex after a fire incident, which critics argue was a move to weaken legislative opposition. His government’s operation without a functioning legislature further fueled accusations of constitutional violations.
Earlier on Tuesday, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused Fubara of dismantling democratic institutions, stating that his actions “rendered the state ungovernable.”
“When he brazenly demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly, Fubara destroyed the very foundation of democracy in the state. When he governed without a legislature, Fubara ended government in the state,” Morka asserted. “The declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary, constitutionally backed measure to protect lives and property.”
However, opposition voices, civil society groups, and legal experts have expressed concerns over the implications for Nigeria’s federalism. The suspension of a sitting governor and an entire legislative body raises constitutional questions. Critics argue that such an intervention, if left unchecked, could set a precedent for future political takeovers under the guise of emergency declarations.
Rivers State, a major hub for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. The political instability threatens investor confidence and could disrupt economic activities, exacerbating already existing tensions in a region historically prone to resource-related conflicts.
Furthermore, at a time when Nigeria is grappling with rising insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and economic hardship, the federal government’s decision to dissolve a democratically elected state government raises concerns about prioritization. Critics argue that instead of deploying emergency powers to quell insecurity in the North, the administration has chosen to exercise them in a politically charged state crisis.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Rivers State. Fubara has vowed to pursue all constitutional avenues to challenge his suspension. Meanwhile, the opposition and civil society groups are weighing legal actions to test the legitimacy of Tinubu’s decision.
As the crisis unfolds, one fundamental question remains: Is Nigeria’s democracy resilient enough to withstand political interventions that blur the lines between constitutional order and executive overreach? For the people of Rivers State, the immediate concern is whether governance and economic stability can be restored amid the uncertainty.
