Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency In Rivers State, Suspends Fubara, Deputy, Assembly Members

By Abubakar Suleman

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.

Tinubu made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy Ngozi Odu; and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.

The president nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as a military administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.

The president relied on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to make the proclamation. The section interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.

A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety.

For about two months, there seemed to be no end in sight in the protracted feud and power tussle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; and his estranged ex-political godson Fubara over the control of the political structure in the oil-rich Rivers State.