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Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State
This decision came hours after the President met with service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis in the region.
Tinubu announced the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for a period of six months.
The President appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired) as a military administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for the initial six-month period. Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to justify the proclamation. This section defines a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster, allowing the government to suspend normal constitutional procedures to restore order.
A state of emergency grants the President the authority to implement immediate regulations to ensure public safety and maintain order.
For nearly two months, the political feud and power struggle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his former political protégé, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have escalated over control of the political machinery in the oil-rich state. The tension has reportedly led to pipeline explosions, while civil servants have threatened mass protests against the Martins Amaewhule-led faction in the State House of Assembly, which remains loyal to Wike.
Tinubu said, “The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
“With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
“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.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) 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.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President.
President Bola Tinubu says the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must undergo bold and comprehensive reforms to address future challenges.
Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS chairman, spoke on Tuesday as officials convened in Accra, Ghana to deliberate the implications of the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Tinubu urged the bloc to rededicate itself to the spirit of pan-Africanism that inspired its founders.
“I reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles that bind us: democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and regional solidarity,” he said.
“These are not just ideals; they are the foundations for peace, development, and the dignity of our people.”
He urged ECOWAS to remain open and willing to engage in sustained, constructive dialogue with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in hopes of reconciliation and reintegration.
“At the same time, there is an urgent need to implement bold, comprehensive reforms that will enhance our institutions’ effectiveness, relevance, and credibility to meet the challenges of today and the future,” he added.
“By embracing these imperatives, the organisation can better respond to its people’s evolving needs and advance sustainable development, stability, and prosperity across the region.”
The president said youths across the region must be placed at the centre of the bloc’s agenda, and asked member states to prioritise investments in education.
He also called for the acceleration of the realisation of a single currency and strengthened infrastructure corridors to connect markets and minds.
Amid mounting insecurity and escalating violence across several parts of the country, the 36 state governors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are currently meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to deliberate on the deteriorating security situation and chart a way forward.
The meeting, which commenced after 9 p.m. in Abuja, comes just ahead of the scheduled National Executive Council (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
Topping the agenda was the urgent need to address the rising wave of killings and large-scale destruction of property that has plagued communities in states such as Plateau, Benue, Niger, and others in recent weeks.
The NGF’s engagement with General Musa reflects the growing alarm at subnational levels over the frequency and brutality of attacks, many of which have displaced thousands and shaken public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
It was gathered that the governors sought first-hand briefings from the CDS on the current operations of the armed forces, gaps in response strategies, and the role state governments can play in supporting the military’s efforts to restore peace and stability.
Governors present at the meeting as of press time included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa, among others.
Although official details of the meeting’s outcomes were still pending, NGF insiders described the session as “strategic and necessary,” especially given the upcoming NEC meeting where broader security and governance issues are expected to take centre stage.
A communiqué is expected to be issued after deliberations are concluded.
Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is currently in progress.
Speaking at the Nigerian Investor Forum, which took place alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, D.C., Edun highlighted the significance of this audit.
In December 2024, federal government auditors investigated NNPC’s claim for a N2.7 trillion subsidy refund. Additionally, a report released in January by the auditor-general revealed financial irregularities within NNPC.
On April 2, President Bola Tinubu restructured the board of NNPC, appointing Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) to succeed Meld Kyari, while Ahmadu Musa Kida was appointed as the non-executive chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure.
Following these changes, NNPC announced an eight-member senior management team on April 4. In his new role, Ojulari expressed ambitions to attract $60 billion in sectoral investments by 2030. He also outlined plans to boost crude oil production to over two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030, aiming to increase refining output to 200 thousand barrels per day by 2027 and 500 thousand barrels per day by 2030.