Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers

…suspends Gov Fubara, deputy, Assembly members for six months

By Clement Adeyi, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from Tuesday, March 18.

He has also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu as well as all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

Combo photo of Gov Siminalayi Fubara and the Deputy Governor, Prof Mrs Ngozi Odu 

Tinubu made the declaration in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.

According to him, the decision was aimed at restoring peace and stability to the state which has been embroiled in political turmoil following the disagreement between the governor and the House of Assembly members.

While citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu said the emergency measure became imperative to restore peace to the oil-rich state.

“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu declared.

I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator

Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance during the suspension period.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” he said.

He added that the proclamation had been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly.

This declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State

“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution.

“It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole,” the president said.

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