18/09/2025
What really happened and about to happen next in River State
1. Declaration of Emergency and Suspension
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution and declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
As part of that, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended.
The stated reasons were a severe breakdown in the relationship between the executive and legislature in Rivers State — the budget wasn’t being passed, legislative paralysis, threats to critical infrastructure (oil pipelines), and general governance being at a standstill.
2. Administrator Appointed
During the emergency period, a Sole Administrator was appointed — Retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas — to manage the affairs of the state.
3. Lift of the Emergency Rule / Resumption
After six months, on September 17, 2025, President Tinubu officially ended the state of emergency in Rivers State.
Consequently, Governor Fubara, his deputy, the suspended members of the House of Assembly, and the Speaker (Martins Amaewhule) were directed to resume their offices from September 18, 2025.
Implications & Issues
Governance Restoration
With the end of the emergency rule, the democratic structures are being restored in Rivers State: executive, legislative arms returning to their constitutional roles. This is seen as a positive step by many, as it allows state-level governance to resume in full.
Challenges Ahead
Despite resumption, there are lingering tensions:
The political rift between the governor and certain legislators remains. The emergency rule was triggered by a conflict between Fubara and a majority in the State House of Assembly. Reconciliation is needed.
There are court cases: multiple legal challenges were filed (over 40 lawsuits) contesting the constitutionality of the emergency rule, whether the suspension was valid, etc. Some are still pending.
Precedent Setting
The use of emergency powers in this way (suspending elected officials, directly replacing them with an appointed administrator) is rare. The outcome of legal challenges could affect future uses of Section 305 of the Constitution.
What to Watch For
Whether Governor Fubara and the state legislature will be able to cooperate and move forward (especially on passing budgets, legislation, etc.) without recurring conflict.
What courts decide regarding the legal challenges — both whether the emergency rule was constitutional, and whether any damages or remedies might flow from those rulings.
How the administration will rebuild public trust, especially given the disruptions over the past six months, and how services and projects stalled during the emergency will be resumed.
Whether this resolution triggers similar unrest or constitutional debates in other states under tension between legislature and executive.
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