In response to escalating violence and security concerns in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has declared a State of Emergency, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The declaration follows an emergency meeting held earlier today with the nation’s service chiefs and security heads, as the crisis in Rivers State intensified with acts of pipeline vandalization and the bombing of the Trans-Amadi pipeline.
Under the new emergency directives, the current elected Governor, Sim Fubara, along with all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, have been suspended.
To oversee the administration of the state during this period, President Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator.
He is expected to govern Rivers State for an initial six-month period, during which all legislative activities will be suspended, and no new laws will be enacted.
The decision comes in response to growing concerns over insecurity, economic sabotage, and political instability in the oil-rich state.
Security operatives have reported a surge in attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly oil and gas pipelines, threatening national energy security and economic stability. The bombing of the Trans-Amadi pipeline, a critical facility in the state’s oil and gas sector, further exacerbated the situation, prompting urgent intervention by the federal government.
The State of Emergency effectively places Rivers State under direct federal control for the next six months, during which law enforcement agencies are expected to restore order, curb acts of sabotage, and stabilize governance.
The suspension of the state’s executive and legislative arms is expected to streamline decision-making and security operations, ensuring a rapid response to the crisis.
In his address to the nation, President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of the move, stating, “The Nigerian government cannot afford to allow lawlessness and economic sabotage to thrive in any part of the country.
This action is taken in the best interest of national security and the welfare of the people of Rivers State.”
Meanwhile, reactions have begun to pour in from various quarters, with some stakeholders expressing support for the measure as a necessary step to restore peace, while others have raised concerns over the potential political implications.
The opposition and civil society organizations have called for transparency in the administration of the emergency period and a clear roadmap for the return to democratic governance in the state.
As security agencies intensify their operations in Rivers State, all eyes are now on Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, whose leadership will be instrumental in navigating the state through this turbulent period.
The federal government has assured that normal governance will resume after the stipulated emergency period, provided that stability is restored and security threats are neutralized.
