President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating security concerns and political instability in the oil-rich region.
The declaration, announced earlier today, follows weeks of heightened tension, violent clashes, and disruptions to governance in the state. Reports indicate that the crisis stems from a deepening political rift between key stakeholders, leading to widespread unrest.
In a live broadcast by the Presidency, Tinubu emphasized that the decision was necessary to restore order and protect the lives and property of residents. “The security situation in Rivers State has reached a critical level, posing a serious threat to governance and public safety. As a responsible government, we cannot stand by while the peace and stability of the state are undermined,” the statement read.
Under the emergency rule, federal authorities are expected to take over security operations in the state, with the possibility of deploying additional military forces to maintain law and order. The move could also see the temporary suspension of some state government functions, depending on the extent of the intervention.
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
“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,” he said in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.
In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
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Reactions to the declaration have been swift, with political figures, civil society groups, and residents expressing mixed feelings. While some view the move as a necessary step to restore normalcy, others fear it may be used to suppress political opposition.
The Rivers State government has yet to issue an official response to the emergency declaration, but sources indicate that discussions are ongoing at the state level to assess the implications of the federal intervention.
More details are expected to emerge as the situation unfolds.
