A heavy military presence descended on Rivers State Tuesday night as soldiers stormed the Government House in Port Harcourt, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency. The President’s nationwide broadcast earlier in the evening announced the immediate suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six months.
Tinubu cited the worsening political crisis in the state and the inability of the governor and lawmakers to resolve their differences as justification for the drastic action. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state administrator, placing Rivers under federal control.
Shortly after the announcement, heavily armed soldiers moved into the Rivers Government House around 9 p.m. An armored personnel carrier was stationed at the entrance, while troops were deployed across key government buildings.
An inside source confirmed that Governor Fubara was still inside his official residence when the military took over. “As I speak, soldiers have taken over Government House, but the governor remains in his residence,” the source said.
Outside the premises, several high-end vehicles with full headlights on were seen, but it was unclear whether the governor was attempting to leave.
The declaration of emergency sent shockwaves across Rivers State, with residents rushing home amid uncertainty. In Port Harcourt, groups of people gathered in the streets discussing the unfolding crisis, while some expressed outrage at the move.
Meanwhile, tension escalated as reports surfaced of explosions at two major oil pipelines in the state, just hours before Tinubu’s announcement. The attacks—one on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Gokana and another at a pipeline manifold in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni—triggered fears of sabotage amid the political turmoil. Security forces arrested two suspects and launched an investigation.
In his address, President Tinubu said the political crisis in Rivers had reached a breaking point, stalling governance and endangering national stability.
He stated, “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the situation, and given that the Governor and Deputy Governor failed to request intervention as required by law, I am compelled to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective immediately.”
Tinubu emphasised that the judicial arm of the state would remain intact, and that Administrator Ibas would not enact new laws but could implement regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council.
The President also linked the security crisis to militant threats and pipeline vandalism, accusing the governor of failing to act against the saboteurs. “The latest reports indicate that militants have attacked vital oil infrastructure without any response from the governor. This level of instability demands urgent action to restore peace and governance,” he stated.
Governor Fubara reacted swiftly, rejecting Tinubu’s move and calling for restraint. In a statement, he insisted that his administration had acted within the law and accused political opponents of orchestrating the crisis.
“We prioritized security and development despite political challenges. Unfortunately, certain members of the State Assembly, loyal to external forces, deliberately sabotaged our efforts,” Fubara stated. He vowed to “engage relevant institutions to defend democracy and ensure Rivers State continues to thrive.”
The state of emergency followed a series of dramatic political escalations. Just hours before Tinubu’s decision, the Rivers Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara. The move, widely seen as a prelude to his removal, intensified the standoff between the governor and his rivals.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had ruled that the 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained valid members of the House. The ruling further weakened Fubara’s grip on power, as the court also froze the state’s financial allocations, citing unconstitutional governance.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), opposition politicians, and civil society groups have condemned the President’s declaration, calling it unconstitutional.
NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) warned that Tinubu’s action amounted to a coup against democracy. “The Constitution does not empower the President to unilaterally remove elected officials. This is an illegal usurpation of power,” Osigwe stated.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized the move, accusing Tinubu of fueling the crisis. “This is an assault on democracy. The President had the opportunity to de-escalate but chose political manipulation instead,” Atiku wrote on social media.
The PDP outrightly rejected the emergency rule, stating, “This is an attempt to capture Rivers State by force. Tinubu has no constitutional right to suspend a sitting governor.”
