President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent armed security operatives, including soldiers, to take control of the Rivers State Government House following his suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A video obtained on Monday evening showed several military vehicles filled with armed personnel heading toward the Government House in Port Harcourt.
This move came after Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to political instability and security concerns.
“In the circumstances, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State… it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March 2025,” Tinubu said.
He added, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
To manage the state, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, he stated that Ibas would not have the power to make new laws but would focus on restoring stability.
The crisis in Rivers State has been linked to the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Tensions began after Fubara took office in May 2023, with Wike allegedly trying to maintain control of the state’s political structure from Abuja. Fubara’s resistance led to a fierce rivalry, culminating in the defection of 27 pro-Wike lawmakers from the PDP to the APC in December 2023.
This shift in political power led to a failed attempt to impeach Fubara, and the situation worsened in October 2023 when the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was set on fire during clashes between opposing factions.
Meanwhile, reports from Sahara reporters indicate that military trucks moved into the Rivers State Government House late Tuesday night as the emergency rule took effect. Witnesses said about ten military vehicles patrolled roads near Government House, with armored vehicles stationed at key locations.
“The road leading to Government House from Isaac Boro Park to the popular UTC is deserted. Residents are making efforts to get back to their respective homes as nobody wants to be caught in a crossfire,” a resident told reporters.
Sources suggested that Fubara may have anticipated the emergency declaration, as he held multiple meetings with members of the suspended state Executive Council throughout the day. However, his whereabouts remain unknown.
The emergency declaration has caused unease across Rivers State, with shop owners closing early and residents hurrying home. Many streets were nearly empty, as people feared potential unrest.