President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s assembly lawmakers for a period of six months, plunging the oil-rich region into further political turmoil. The move, announced in a national broadcast, comes amid a protracted power struggle between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Fubara’s political godfather.
Rivers State has been a hotspot of political tension since Fubara’s election in 2023, with ongoing clashes between his administration and Wike, who retains significant influence as the state’s former governor. The crisis intensified in recent months, marked by defections in the state assembly, legal battles over local government control, and violent incidents, including attacks on local government secretariats.
In October 2024, President Tinubu had previously intervened, brokering a peace deal between Fubara and Wike. However, the agreement collapsed, and the state assembly, largely loyal to Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara, further deepening the rift. On Monday, chaotic scenes erupted in the state capital, Port Harcourt, as lawmakers loyal to Wike clashed with Fubara’s supporters.
Tinubu’s emergency declaration, invoking Section 305 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, aims to restore order but has raised legal and constitutional concerns.
It is reported that neither Governor Fubara nor his deputy requested the proclamation, a requirement under the constitution. Critics argue this could mirror Obasanjo’s Plateau State action, which the Supreme Court later deemed unconstitutional.
Historical Parallel: Obasanjo’s Plateau State Emergency
In 2004, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State following deadly inter-religious violence, suspending then-Governor Joshua Dariye and dissolving the state legislature. While some praised the move to quell violence, others, including human rights groups and opposition figures, condemned it as an overreach of federal power. The Supreme Court’s subsequent ruling highlighted constitutional limits on such actions, setting a precedent that some legal experts now cite in questioning Tinubu’s Rivers State declaration.
Governor Fubara, who has positioned himself as a defender of Rivers State’s autonomy against Wike’s influence, has yet to issue an official response. However, allies of the governor have decried the suspension as a political maneuver to undermine his administration.
Security and Economic Implications
The state of emergency includes deploying additional security forces to Rivers State, Nigeria’s key oil-producing region, which contributes significantly to the national economy. Recent attacks on local government infrastructure and a pipeline explosion in March 2025 have heightened concerns about stability in the Niger Delta. President Tinubu’s administration insists the measure is necessary to prevent further deterioration and protect democratic institutions, as outlined in the broadcast.
Legal Challenges Loom
Constitutional lawyers have warned that Tinubu’s action could face legal challenges, given the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obasanjo’s Plateau State emergency. Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution allows the president to declare a state of emergency in cases of national security threats, natural disasters, or constitutional breakdowns – but only with the governor’s request or overwhelming evidence of failure to maintain order. Critics argue that the Rivers State crisis, while severe, does not meet these criteria, potentially setting the stage for another court battle.
Looking Ahead
As Rivers State braces for the six-month suspension of its elected officials, the political landscape remains volatile. Opposition figures, civil society groups, and international observers are closely watching, with some fearing a return to the centralized control seen during Obasanjo’s tenure. Meanwhile, the fate of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly hangs in the balance, as Nigeria grapples with the broader implications for federal-state relations and democratic governance.
The declaration has reignited debates about the balance of power in Nigeria’s federal system, with many questioning whether Tinubu’s action will restore peace or deepen the political crisis in Rivers State. As the situation unfolds, legal challenges, public protests, and international scrutiny are expected to shape the next chapter in this ongoing saga.