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President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
Tinubu made the announcement in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, citing the prolonged political crisis in the state and the failure of reconciliation efforts.
“I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State,” Tinubu stated. “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to access the dividends of democracy.”
The crisis in Rivers escalated following the impeachment notice served to the governor and his deputy by the House of Assembly, barely 24 hours before Tinubu’s declaration. The President referenced the December 13, 2023, demolition of the State Assembly complex, which, according to him, has not been rebuilt for over 14 months.
Despite multiple interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and leaders, Tinubu noted that efforts to resolve the crisis had been ignored, leaving him with no choice but to take action in the interest of democracy and governance.
Under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the declaration of a state of emergency allows the President to assume extraordinary powers to restore order. The suspension of elected officials paves the way for federal intervention in the administration of the state.
The move is expected to trigger significant political and legal reactions, with stakeholders weighing in on the implications for democracy and governance in Rivers State.
