- Suspends Fubara, deputy, house of assembly
- Appoints ex-naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as administrator
- Meet the new administrator, history of emergency rule in Nigeria in 26 years
- Atiku, Bode George, Fani-Kayode differ
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd) as Administrator for Rivers State, following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Tinubu made this appointment during a 12-minute nationwide broadcast on Tuesday amid the political and insecurity crisis in Rivers State.
In his declaration, Tinubu assured that the judicial arm of Rivers State would remain unaffected by the suspension and continue to carry out its constitutional duties, noting that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, will not make any new laws.
Rivers State had been embroiled in a political crisis pitting factions of the opposition People’s Democratic Party against each other. The state lawmakers had also threatened to impeach the governor and his deputy.
The president stated: “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 for the 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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the PDP in Rivers State strongly criticised the Supreme Court over its recent judgment regarding the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly and the seizure of the state’s monthly statutory allocation.
The party in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by its Acting Chairman in Rivers State, Nname Robinson Ewor, at the end of the party’s State Working Committee conference, accused the apex court of bias and granting reliefs on matters that were not presented before it.
The controversy followed the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which addressed the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill by Governor Fubara.
However, the PDP claimed that the court went further to make determinations on issues the litigants did not initiate and commenced action on including the membership status of the 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress as well as the withholding of Rivers State’s monthly allocation.
POLITICAL FALLOUT
The crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly stems from a deep political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The conflict began shortly after Fubara took office in May 2023, despite Wike’s instrumental role in securing his election victory under the platform of the PDP.
Tensions between Fubara and Wike emerged when Fubara began consolidating power and asserting independence from Wike’s political influence. This reportedly angered Wike, who had expected to maintain significant control over the state’s political structure even after leaving office.
In December 2023, the conflict escalated when 27 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were loyal to Wike, defected from the PDP to the ruling APC.
The lawmakers cited internal party disputes and loss of confidence in the PDP leadership as reasons for their defection. Their departure left Fubara with minimal legislative support, threatening his ability to govern effectively.
Before the defection, the assembly, dominated by pro-Wike lawmakers, had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara in October 2023. Fubara responded by attempting to dissolve the assembly, leading to a physical confrontation and the burning of the state assembly complex.
MEET THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR
Prior to his appointment as the new administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021.
He was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria.
He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
Ibas began his primary education at Nko Primary School and later completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.
He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, from 1972 to 1976, before attending the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, between 1977 and 1979.
He furthered his education at the Nigerian Defence Academy and later obtained a master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
He completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India, between 1983 and 1984, and underwent Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, between 1986 and 1987.
In 1990, he attended the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and later participated in the Amphibious Warfare Course at the United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia, in 1992.
He also specialised in Underwater Warfare at NNS Quorra in 1994 and completed the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in 1997. Additionally, he attended the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2005.
As a midshipman, he was posted on board NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu. After his commission, he served as a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe.
Between 1993 and 1996, he was the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe. He also served as the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School from 1997 to 1998 and later led the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, from 1998 to 2000.
His staff appointments included serving as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2000 to 2002, and later as deputy commandant in 2014.
He was the naval provost marshal between 2003 and 2004 and served as the principal staff officer to the Chief of Naval Staff from 2004 to 2005.
Between 2006 and 2009, he was the commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo, and later the chief staff officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos, from 2010 to 2011.
He held several other key positions, including chief of administration at the Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), Navy Secretary (2012–2013), and flag officer commanding Western Naval Command (2013–2014). In 2014, he was appointed chief of logistics and subsequently became the GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
On July 13, 2015, Ibas was appointed as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021. Following his retirement from the Navy, he remained an influential figure in national security and maritime affairs.
Upon retirement from active naval service, Ibas transitioned into diplomacy, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana from 2021. His appointment underscored his vast experience in security, strategic relations, and international diplomacy.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu appointed him as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
His role involves overseeing governance and restoring order in the state amid political instability.
History of emergency rule in Nigeria in 26 years
The 1999 Constitution, under Section 305, empowers the President to declare a state of emergency under specific conditions.
The proclamation must be published in the government gazette and transmitted to the National Assembly for approval.
A two-thirds majority of the National Assembly is required to validate the declaration, ensuring a system of checks and balances to prevent abuse of executive powers.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Tinubu’s action marks the fourth time a state of emergency has been declared by a sitting President.
1. Plateau State (2004)
In May 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State following a surge in ethno-religious violence that led to widespread killings and destruction. The governor and state assembly were suspended and Major General Chris Alli (retd.) was appointed administrator to restore order.
2. Ekiti State (2006)
A leadership crisis in Ekiti State prompted Obasanjo to impose emergency rule in October 2006.
The crisis stemmed from the controversial impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose, which plunged the state into chaos. Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.) was appointed administrator until the situation stabilized.
3. Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013)
Amid escalating Boko Haram insurgency, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states on May 14, 2013.
Unlike previous instances, governors and state assemblies were not suspended; instead, the Federal Government deployed more troops and imposed curfews to curb insurgent activities.
ATIKU, BODE GEORGE, FANI-KAYODE DIFFER
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have greeted the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Tinubu.
Some prominent Nigerians have weighed in on the development, giving varying views. While some harshly criticised President Tinubu, others hailed him for the decision.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, said the “declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith”.
Attributing the political crisis and recent pipeline explosions in the state to the president, Atiku noted that the Niger Delta region has slipped into a period of violent unrest and instability.
He said punishing the residents of the state merely to fuel the political rivalry between the governor and Tinubu’s allies constitutes a direct attack on democracy.
“Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful,” the statement reads.
“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.
“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.
“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.
“If federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” the former Vice President said.
In the same vein, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, condemned President Tinubu’s declaration, calling it a blatant disregard for constituted authority.
George said, “This is absolute Armageddon—total disrespect for constituted authority. The Constitution has been viciously violated.
“We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the highest order. What did Fubara do? As Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu gave Wike soldiers and security agents to destabilize Rivers State. The governor has no control over security agencies, yet he remained calm. Nobody has explained what he did to warrant this dictatorial emergency rule.”
George likened the situation to past political crises, stating, “This is exactly how it started in 1962 and 1983. It’s a dress rehearsal for what Tinubu wants to do in 2027. The APC wants to take control of all states through unconstitutional means.”
He questioned the legality of Tinubu’s actions, asking, “Did he get National Assembly approval before his broadcast? What happened in Rivers is the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when lawmakers were fighting? Why invite Diete-Spiff and Niger Delta leaders last week if he already planned this?”
George concluded, “Is Tinubu now becoming a civilian dictator?”
However, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri commended President Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers.
Omokri said “At last, Nigeria has a Commander-in-Chief rather than a Commander-at-Sleep! A President who is not just in power, but knows what to do with power”.
Corroborating Omokri’s view, former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode commended Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in River State.
Fani-Kayode in a statement on his verified Facebook handle said, “When children refuse to stop fighting, father must step in”, applauding Tinubu’s declaration in the state.
“The declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers state is a bold and commendable move that will return sanity to the peace and sanity of the state. I also believe this will go a long way to bringing all the major players in the conflict back to their senses. When children refuse to stop fighting the father must step in lest they burn the house down”.
Meanwhile, a video that is going viral has revealed that troops of the Nigerian Army were seen heading to Rivers State Government House to enforce President Tinubu’s declaration as the state was soaked in tension.
