Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu don suspend Rivers State governor, deputy governor, and all lawmakers for six months following serious crisis wey don dey happen for the state. Dis announcement come alongside Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency wey don grab headlines for weeks now.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Tinubu release this order to address the growing unrest and violence wey don affect Rivers State, a region wey don see plenty political drama recently. The President’s actions don raise eyebrows and shake tables across Nigeria, as many dey question di legality and motivation for such step.
The declaration of emergency rule mean say military personnel and law enforcement go take over governance for di state while Tinubu try to restore order. Multiple reports from newspapers like Vanguard and Daily Times highlight di tensions wey Tinubu’s action don spark. Vanguard headline read, ‘Tension as Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers,’ while The Daily Times follow suit with, ‘Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers.’
Dis move don bring reactions from different quarters. Leadership newspaper reported, ‘STATE OF EMERGENCY: Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Deputy, and Rivers Lawmakers for 6 Months.’ Meanwhile, Daily Trust provide a legal perspective, reporting that a lawyer say Tinubu don make a big mistake by removing Fubara and others. Dis lawyer talk say di president no get constitutional power to unseat elected officials without proper reason.
Notably, The Matrix also express concern, saying, “State Of Emergency In Rivers State: Outrage Trails President Tinubu’s Action.” Critics dey raise fears dat dis kind decision fit encourage future abuses and threaten democratic governance.
In addition, Nigeria’s Senate dey prepare to face backlash as a bill wey go require social media companies to open physical offices in di country don pass second reading, according to reports. Dis news dey circulate as Nigerians dey try to manage series of economic challenges including high unemployment rates.
Business Day also report dat skills gap dey jeopardize many Nigerians ability to find work, showing dat di government still get long way to go in fixing di economy.
The realities for Nigerians be say, no matter di political drama, dem dey burdened by rising cost of living and lack of proper infrastructure. For instance, reports from The Guardian talk say, ‘Rivers pipeline explosion fit cost $35.3 million loss daily as state of emergency begins.’ This show say economic consequences dey follow di political upheaval.
Despite di challenges, one media expert, Abiola Ayankunbi, commend di journalists wey dey work tirelessly to expose di truth for dis complex political climate. He say na only through proper reports dem fit help shape public opinion and compel action from government.
As Nigeria go forward, di eyes of citizens go dey glued to how Tinubu’s administration go manage dis unprecedented situation for Rivers State. Di aftermath of dis emergency rule fit change di future of governance for Nigeria as a whole, and only time go tell wetin go happen next.
