Nigeria has experienced several state of emergency declarations since its independence in 1960, with notable instances occurring both before and after the return to democratic governance in 1999. These declarations have typically been invoked to address severe crises, including political instability, ethnic or religious violence, and insurgencies. Below is a historical overview based on available information up to March 19, 2025:
Pre-1999 Era
- Western Nigeria (1962)
The first recorded state of emergency in Nigeria occurred in the Western Region during the First Republic. This followed a political crisis within the Action Group (AG), a major political party, exacerbated by large-scale irregularities in the country’s first post-independence census. Violent clashes erupted due to factionalism and attempts by some politicians to overthrow the regional government. On May 29, 1962, Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa declared a state of emergency, suspending the regional government and appointing an administrator to restore order. This marked a significant early use of emergency powers in Nigeria’s history.
Post-1999 Democratic Era (Fourth Republic)
Since Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999, states of emergency have been declared under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the president the authority to proclaim such measures in response to threats to national security, public order, or the federation’s existence, subject to National Assembly approval. Here are the key instances:
- Plateau State (2004)
On May 18, 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State due to escalating ethno-religious violence between Muslim and Christian communities, particularly in the state capital, Jos. The conflict, which began in 2001, had resulted in over 2,000 deaths by 2004. Governor Joshua Dariye and the state legislature were suspended, and Major General Chris Alli (retd.) was appointed as administrator to restore peace. The emergency lasted six months, ending in November 2004. - Ekiti State (2006)
On October 19, 2006, President Obasanjo again invoked emergency powers in Ekiti State following a political crisis triggered by the controversial impeachment of Governor Ayodele Fayose on charges of corruption and abuse of office. The impeachment process led to chaos and a breakdown of law and order. Fayose and his deputy were removed, and Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.) was appointed as administrator to stabilize the state. The emergency rule lasted until April 2007. - Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013)
On May 14, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in response to the intensifying Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. This followed an earlier, more limited emergency declaration on December 31, 2011, in parts of Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Niger States, which included temporary border closures. The 2013 declaration aimed to curb the Islamist group’s violent campaign, which had killed thousands and displaced many more. Unlike previous cases, the state governors were not suspended; instead, the military was granted expanded powers, including troop deployments and curfews. The emergency was extended twice by the National Assembly, lasting until late 2014. - Rivers State (2025)
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing severe security threats and a protracted political crisis. The declaration followed tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike (now Federal Capital Territory Minister), which had escalated since September 2023. Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), former Chief of Naval Staff, as administrator. The move, announced in a nationwide broadcast, was framed as a response to security reports indicating pipeline vandalism, militant activities, and governance breakdowns. This marked the fifth major state of emergency in the Fourth Republic.
Other Notable Mentions
- Bayelsa State (1999)
Some accounts suggest a state of emergency was declared in Bayelsa State in 1999, shortly after the return to democracy, due to militant violence in the Niger Delta, culminating in the Odi massacre. However, this is less consistently documented as a formal emergency declaration under the 1999 Constitution and is often viewed as a military operation rather than a constitutional state of emergency. - Limited Declarations (2011)
The partial emergency declaration by President Jonathan on December 31, 2011, in specific local government areas of Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and Niger States is sometimes listed separately from the broader 2013 declaration, though it was a precursor to the latter.
Context and Patterns
State of emergency declarations in Nigeria have typically been responses to crises threatening public safety or governance stability. Pre-1999, they were tied to political upheavals, while post-1999 declarations have addressed both political crises (Ekiti, Rivers) and security challenges (Plateau, Northeast). The process requires National Assembly approval within two days if in session (or ten days if not), and emergencies can last up to six months, renewable with legislative consent. Critics often argue that such measures risk undermining democratic norms, centralizing power, and enabling human rights abuses, as seen in controversies like the Odi massacre or the prolonged military presence in the Northeast.
This history reflects Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with balancing emergency powers and democratic governance, shaped by its complex socio-political landscape.
