Global site navigation

Local editions

Rivers: 6 Times Presidents Have Declared State of Emergency in Nigerian States, Full List Emerges
Politics

Rivers: 6 Times Presidents Have Declared State of Emergency in Nigerian States, Full List Emerges

by  Ridwan Adeola 2 min read

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

CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now!

Port Harcourt, Rivers state - President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening, March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers state.

Legit.ng reports that the Nigerian leader cited the prolonged political crisis and governance paralysis as Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), continue their feud over the control of the political structure of the oil-rich state.

According to a prominent public affairs commentator, Charles Omole, the presidential declaration of a state of emergency has far-reaching constitutional consequences, including:

  • Weakening state autonomy.
  • Strengthening executive power at the federal level.
  • Judicial oversight, though often limited in security matters.
  • Potential restriction of fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu's declaration is not unprecedented.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Legit.ng looks at five other instances in the past when a presidential state of emergency was declared in Nigerian states. They are highlighted below:

Read also

Rivers crisis: What Tinubu did before declaring state of emergency, House of Reps explains

  1. 2004 (Plateau state): Then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, declared a state of emergency due to ethnic violence, suspending the governor, Joshua Dariye.
  2. 2006 (Ekiti state): State of emergency declared due to political instability.
  3. 2013 (Adamawa): The Nigerian leader at the time, Goodluck Jonathan, imposed emergency rule as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
  4. 2013 (Borno): Jonathan imposed emergency rule due to Boko Haram terror.
  5. 2013: (Yobe state) Jonathan imposed emergency rule due to Boko Haram crisis.

Tinubu appoints Ibokette as Rivers Administrator

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers state.

The appointment follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.

Tags:
Hot: