President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis that has resisted previous efforts at resolution.
In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu stated that no responsible leader could stand by while instability persists, emphasizing that drastic measures were necessary to restore governance, peace, and security in the state.
The President explained that multiple attempts at conflict resolution had failed due to the intransigence of key political actors.
As a result, he invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, making him the third Nigerian leader to take such a step since the country’s return to democracy.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had previously imposed emergency rule in Plateau (2004) and Ekiti (2006), while ex-President Goodluck Jonathan declared it in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno States in 2013 amid escalating insurgency.
However, Tinubu’s decision has drawn attention to his previous opposition to similar declarations in the past.
As the National Leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he strongly criticized Jonathan’s 2013 state of emergency, calling it a “dangerous trend” in governance.
At the time, Tinubu argued that emergency declarations often carried political undertones, risked alienating citizens, and could fuel radical ideologies rather than resolving conflicts.
He also accused the federal government of using security crises as an excuse to undermine state governments instead of fostering meaningful collaboration.
His stance then was that military intervention should be a last resort and that political crises should be resolved through dialogue, institutional reforms, and improved governance.
Now, as President, Tinubu’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State marks a stark departure from his previous position.
While he has justified the move as a constitutional necessity, political observers question whether his administration is setting a precedent that contradicts his past advocacy for democratic governance and state autonomy.
Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta, is one of Nigeria’s most economically significant states due to its vast oil and gas reserves.
Port Harcourt, the state capital, serves as a key industrial and commercial hub, earning the state its nickname, “Treasure Base of the Nation.”
Despite its economic strength, Rivers has a history of intense political struggles, often exacerbated by high-stakes control over oil revenues and governance.
Following the declaration of emergency rule, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
Ibas, a retired naval officer from Cross River State, has had a distinguished career in national security and diplomacy.
His appointment signals Tinubu’s preference for a military approach in stabilizing the crisis, further raising questions about the long-term impact of this intervention on democratic governance in the state.
With Rivers State now under emergency rule, all eyes will be on the National Assembly, which is constitutionally required to approve the proclamation within days.
