On March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the bold and decisive step of declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, a move that has sparked intense debate across Nigeria. While critics have been quick to label this action as an overreach of executive power, a closer examination of the circumstances reveals that this declaration was not only justified but necessary to safeguard democracy, restore order, and protect the interests of the people of Rivers State and the nation at large. Far from being an assault on democratic principles, President Tinubu’s decision reflects a courageous commitment to addressing a crisis that had spiraled beyond the control of the state’s leadership.
A State in Crisis
Rivers State, a vital economic hub in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, has been embroiled in a protracted political crisis that has paralyzed governance and threatened national security. The feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike—now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—has festered since late 2023, escalating into a full-blown governance breakdown. This conflict has manifested in alarming ways: the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023, persistent legislative gridlock, and, more recently, reports of pipeline vandalism by militants emboldened by the state’s instability.
President Tinubu himself highlighted these issues in his nationwide broadcast, noting that the state had been “at a standstill” since the crisis began, with citizens denied the dividends of democracy. The Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025, ruling further underscored the severity of the situation, declaring that a government cannot function without its legislative arm—a direct indictment of the Rivers State leadership’s failure to rebuild the Assembly or resolve its internal disputes. When a state government cannot govern effectively, and when its leaders fail to request federal intervention as stipulated under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution, it falls to the president to act decisively. Tinubu did just that.
A Constitutional Mandate
The declaration of a state of emergency is not an arbitrary power grab but a mechanism enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution under Section 305. This provision empowers the president to intervene when a state faces a breakdown of public order, a threat to national security, or any situation jeopardizing the federation’s stability. The Rivers crisis ticks all these boxes. The political stalemate has not only stalled development but also created a vacuum exploited by criminal elements, as evidenced by the recent pipeline bombings reported between March 17 and 18, 2025. These acts of sabotage threaten Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy, which relies heavily on the Niger Delta’s production capacity.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state legislature for an initial six months, while appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) as administrator, aligns with this constitutional framework. By preserving the judiciary’s independence and ensuring that the administrator’s regulations require Federal Executive Council approval, Tinubu has demonstrated a commitment to checks and balances, countering claims of authoritarianism. This is not a “civilian coup,” as some detractors allege, but a remedial step to restore governance where it had collapsed.
Averting Economic and Security Catastrophe
The stakes in Rivers State extend beyond its borders. The Niger Delta has a history of instability, with militancy twice plunging Nigeria into recession under previous administrations when oil production plummeted. President Tinubu’s swift action preempts a similar fate. The pipeline vandalism cited in his broadcast is not a trivial matter; it signals a resurgence of militancy that could disrupt oil exports, destabilize the national economy, and embolden further lawlessness. By deploying security forces and installing a capable administrator, Tinubu has signaled zero tolerance for such threats, ensuring that Rivers remains a stable contributor to Nigeria’s economic lifeline.
Moreover, the political crisis had reached a point where dialogue—despite the president’s repeated personal interventions—failed to yield results. The intransigence of the contending parties, coupled with Governor Fubara’s apparent inability to curb escalating security breaches, left the federal government with no choice but to step in. To do otherwise would have been an abdication of responsibility, allowing Rivers State to descend into chaos with ripple effects across the federation.
A Precedent for Leadership
Critics argue that this declaration sets a “dangerous precedent” for democracy, but history shows that emergency measures, when judiciously applied, have restored stability in Nigeria. President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2004 emergency declaration in Plateau State quelled ethno-religious violence, while President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2013 intervention in the Northeast curbed Boko Haram’s advance. Tinubu’s approach mirrors these successes, tailoring the response to Rivers’ unique challenges without dismantling its democratic structures permanently. The six-month timeframe provides a window to stabilize the state, after which normalcy can be restored under clearer leadership.
Furthermore, the National Assembly’s unanimous support, as confirmed by its leadership on March 18, 2025, validates the president’s consultation process and reinforces the declaration’s legitimacy. This bipartisan backing underscores that Tinubu’s action transcends political affiliations, prioritizing the national interest over partisan gain.
A Call for Unity
President Tinubu concluded his broadcast with a plea for unity, expressing hope that this intervention would “awaken all contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players.” This is not a moment for division but for collective support. The people of Rivers State deserve governance that delivers peace, security, and progress—not endless political theater. By declaring a state of emergency, Tinubu has taken a stand for them, ensuring that their voices are not drowned out by the ambitions of a few.
In a nation as complex as Nigeria, leadership demands tough choices. President Tinubu’s declaration is a prove to his resolve to protect the federation’s integrity, even at the risk of controversy. Rather than condemnation, he deserves commendation for acting when inaction was no longer an option. Rivers State—and Nigeria—will emerge stronger for it.
