Rivers Govt Speaks as Tinubu Suspends Gov Fubara, Declares State of Emergency

• The Rivers government has said it is too early to make official comments on the president's declaration of a state of emergency
• Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency following a lingering crisis in the oil-rich state
• In his nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the assembly

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.

Port Harcourt, Rivers state - The Rivers government said on Tuesday night, March 18, that it was early to make comments on the presidential declaration of a state of emergency amid ongoing political tension.

Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the state House of Assembly during a nationwide broadcast.

As reported by Vanguard, Joseph Johnson, Commissioner of Information and Communications, said it was too hasty for the government to take any position.

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“The president has made a declaration and what do you think we can say? I think it is too hasty to make any comment about it.”

Legit.ng reported that to manage the affairs of the state, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as an administrator, with immediate effect.

The leader of Nigeria said the decision was necessary to restore peace, order, and governance in Rivers, as the state had been in political turmoil for months.

President Tinubu also cited the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023, which he described as an unjustifiable act.

"More than a year after the demolition, the complex remains unbuilt, exacerbating tensions between the executive and legislative arms of the state government."

The president also referenced the judgement by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, which ruled that Rivers state had effectively ceased to have a functioning government due to the collapse of its legislative arm.

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The court had upheld the validity of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ruling that they must be allowed to resume legislative activities.

The 27 legislators have allegiance to Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of Rivers, who is a rival of the recently suspended State Governor Fubara.

Despite this ruling, there is still tension in Rivers.

PDP reacts to Tinubu's pronouncements on Rivers crisis

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the PDP reacted to the national broadcast by President Tinubu, where the Nigerian leader pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency on Rivers state, calling the situation worrying.

In a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, PDP national spokesperson, the party rejected what it termed an 'attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)'.

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PDP reacts as Tinubu suspends Gov Fubara, declares state of emergency in Rivers state

The party also claimed the declaration of a state of emergency sought to undermine the voting power and will of the people of Rivers state by 'seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule'.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng