President Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency In Rivers State

Tinubu's Nationwide Address on Rivers State Crisis

Naija News brings you the latest update as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation in a special broadcast on Tuesday night. The president took the opportunity to speak candidly to Nigerians about the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. His message was clear: action must be taken to restore peace, order, and governance in one of Nigeria's most important states.

The Full Address: Tinubu Speaks Out

Here is the full text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's broadcast, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

My fellow Nigerians, I stand before you tonight with a heavy heart, disturbed by the events unfolding in Rivers State. For months now, we've watched as this crisis has deepened, hoping against hope that reason and good judgment would prevail. But alas, the situation has only worsened, leaving the people of Rivers State without the basic governance they deserve.

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As many of you know, the political turmoil in Rivers State has brought the state to a virtual standstill. The people there, like all Nigerians, deserve to enjoy the fruits of democracy. Yet, for far too long, the governance structure has been dysfunctional, leaving the citizens without the essential services they need. How can democracy truly thrive when one of its fundamental arms, the legislature, is deliberately dismantled?

Let’s not forget that the Governor of Rivers State, without justification, demolished the State House of Assembly back in December 2023. It’s been over a year, and still, no effort has been made to rebuild it. Despite my personal attempts to mediate between the parties involved, and despite the efforts of numerous well-meaning Nigerians, leaders, and organizations, there has been little to no progress. It’s a sad reality that we must confront head-on.

On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment on eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State. The court was unequivocal in its findings, stating:

“A government cannot exist without the three essential arms that constitute the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case, the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to dismantle the legislature to govern like a despot. As it stands, there is no functional government in Rivers State.”

This ruling came after a series of judicial findings highlighting numerous constitutional violations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Moving forward, the Supreme Court reinstated 27 members of the House of Assembly who had been unlawfully excluded, ordering that they must participate in legislative proceedings. Yet, despite these orders, the Appropriation Bill, crucial for the state's budget, remains unpassed.

Adding fuel to the fire, some militant groups have threatened violence, with the Governor seemingly turning a blind eye to their actions. The situation has escalated further, with reports of pipeline vandalism surfacing over the past two days. I’ve issued strict directives to security agencies to ensure the safety of the people of Rivers State and the integrity of critical infrastructure.

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Given these circumstances, it’s clear that extraordinary measures are necessary to restore order and good governance. No responsible president can sit idly by while such chaos continues. After careful consideration, I’ve invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective immediately from today, March 18, 2025.

By this declaration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months. To ensure stability, I have appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this transition. Rest assured, the judicial arm of Rivers State will continue to function as per its constitutional mandate.

The Administrator will not introduce new laws but will have the authority to implement necessary regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President. This declaration has been officially published in the Federal Gazette and shared with the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution.

I sincerely hope that this intervention will serve as a wake-up call for all parties involved, reminding them of their constitutional responsibilities. My vision is for a united, peaceful, and democratic Rivers State that contributes positively to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let us work together to ensure that Rivers State, and indeed the entire nation, prospers in peace and harmony. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s decisive action underscores his commitment to maintaining peace, order, and good governance across Nigeria. As the nation watches closely, the people of Rivers State are hopeful that this intervention will pave the way for a brighter, more stable future. Stay tuned to Naija News for further updates on this developing story.