President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the prolonged political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state lawmakers.
In a nationwide broadcast yesterday, he announced the suspension of Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months, citing security concerns and the need to restore order.
President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the administrator to oversee the state’s affairs while clarifying that the judiciary would remain functional.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, through Speaker Martin Amaewhule, expressed reluctant acceptance of the decision, blaming Fubara for the crisis and urging residents to cooperate with the administrator.
The decision has sparked strong reactions, with suspended-Governor Fubara, in a statement, maintaining that his administration had upheld constitutional order despite political tensions and called for calm while engaging relevant institutions.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the move as an unconstitutional power grab, rejecting the suspension of an elected government.
Similarly, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, criticized the action as reckless and a setback for democracy.