PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S BROADCAST, A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DISCLAIMING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025, TEXT OF THE BROADCAST
Fellow Nigerians, I’m deeply disturbed by how divergent our views on the political crisis in Rivers State have become. I watched the development with concern in the hopes that the parties involved would soon allow good sense to rule, but all that hope vanished without a solution to the crisis.
There is no way for democratic governance to flourish in a way that will benefit the good citizens of the state as the crisis persists. Since the start of the crisis, the state has been at a standstill, with its prosperous citizens having no access to the benefits of democracy.
Additionally, it is widely known that the Governor of Rivers State, for unjustifiable reasons, has since destroyed the state’s House of Assembly and hasn’t yet rebuilt it for fourteen (14) months. I’ve personally intervened with the opposing parties to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the parties involved in the conflict have largely disregarded my efforts. I’m also aware that numerous well-intentioned Nigerians, leaders of thought, and Patriotic organizations have tried their best to help the situation, but all of their efforts have failed. I still appreciate them.
The Supreme Court affirmed on February 28, 2025, in a decision in respect of about eight consolidated appeals involving the political crisis in Rivers State, citing several grave unconstitutional crimes and violations of the law committed by the governor of Rivers State, as evidenced by the evidence before it rendered the following statement:
According to the 1999 Constitution, “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three components that make up a state’s government.” The executive branch of the government has chosen to dissolve the legislature to make way for him to run as a despot in this situation. Rivers State currently has no government.
Following a number of judicial indictments of constitutional violations against the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the above pronouncement was made.
Going forward in their opinion, and having determined that there were 27 House members who had allegedly defected.
“are still able to participate in the proceedings of Rivers State House of Assembly with the support of the Governor in cohorts with four members”
The Supreme Court then issued some directives to bring the state back to its original constitutional democracy. The Rivers State House of Assembly’s authorization to pass an Appropriation Bill, which has not yet been done, is included in these orders.
Some militants had threatened to use brimstone and fire against the governor, who has so far refused to disown them.
In addition, the governor and the House have had to collaborate independently.
Both of them are unaware that their positions in power are to promote state peace and good governance.
According to the most recent security reports I’ve seen, there have been disturbing pipeline vandalizations by some militants, which have occurred between yesterday and today without the governor intervening to stop them. I have, of course, given security personnel a strict order to ensure that the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines’ lives are safe.
No good and trustworthy President will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without implementing the constitutional recommendations to restore good governance, order, and security, which without a doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore order, stability, and order.
In light of the circumstances, having soberly examined and assessed the political climate in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, having inadvertently failed to request that I as president issue this proclamation pursuant to section 305 of the amended Constitution, which requires that I invoke section 305 to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I do so.
By signing this agreement, all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State, including the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all other elected officials, are permanently suspended for a period of six months.
In the interest of the good people of Rivers State, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as administrator. The judicial branch of Rivers State shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate, for the avoidance of doubt, under this declaration.
No new laws will be passed by the Administrator. However, he will be free to make any rules that the Federal Executive Council may require in order to perform his duties, and the state’s president will have the authority to promulgate them.
According to the Constitution, a copy of this declaration was published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly as well. I fervently anticipate that this unavoidable intervention will inspire all candidates to understand the constitutional obligations that all political parties in Rivers State, particularly and Nigeria as a whole, are bound to face.
