President Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Appoints Ibas in Controversial Power Move

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability that has gripped the oil-rich region for nearly two years.

Announced during a nationwide broadcast at 7:00 PM WAT, the emergency declaration has resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In their place, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, has been appointed as the Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this unprecedented intervention.

President Tinubu justified the move by invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, citing a breakdown of governance and escalating security threats. “The state has been at a standstill since this crisis began, depriving the people of Rivers of the dividends of democracy,” Tinubu stated.

He accused Governor Fubara of failing to reconstruct the Rivers State House of Assembly complex—demolished in December 2023—and of neglecting recent pipeline vandalism incidents by militants, which he argued posed a severe risk to national security.

The crisis in Rivers State stems from a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Since Fubara’s inauguration in May 2023, the state’s political structure has been deeply divided, leading to factionalism in the House of Assembly and violent clashes, including the burning of the assembly complex.

A Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, further intensified tensions, declaring Fubara’s actions unconstitutional and emphasizing that a government cannot function without a legislative arm.

Siminalayi Fubara, a former Accountant-General of Rivers State, took office as governor on May 29, 2023, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Initially seen as a stabilizing figure, his tenure has been marred by controversy, with critics accusing him of attempting to dismantle Wike’s political influence by dissolving key structures loyal to his predecessor.

The demolition of the assembly complex, which Fubara justified as necessary due to fire damage, has been widely criticized as an attempt to neutralize the pro-Wike legislature. His suspension marks a significant fall from grace for a politician once viewed as a key figure in Rivers’ governance.

Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu has also been suspended. A respected academic and administrator, Odu, 63, has been recognized for her contributions to health and education initiatives. Unlike Fubara, she largely remained neutral in the political dispute, making her removal a point of speculation. Analysts suggest it may be collateral damage from the broader power struggle.

The newly appointed Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), brings a strong military background to the role. Born on September 27, 1960, in Cross River State, Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under President Muhammadu Buhari, where he led major operations against piracy and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Tinubu praised his leadership, stating, “Vice Admiral Ibas will take charge of the affairs of Rivers State in the interest of its people.” While he cannot enact new laws, Ibas is authorized to issue regulations—subject to Federal Executive Council approval—to maintain order and address urgent challenges.

The declaration has sparked a constitutional debate across Nigeria, with legal experts questioning the legality of suspending elected officials without National Assembly approval, a requirement under the Constitution. “While the President has the authority to declare an emergency, suspending a governor and lawmakers unilaterally oversteps his powers,” argued Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent human rights lawyer. “This sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance.” However, supporters of the decision argue that it was necessary to prevent further instability. “The state was on the brink of anarchy,” said former Information Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed. “Tinubu acted decisively to restore stability.”

Reactions have been mixed. In Rivers State, protests erupted in Port Harcourt, with Fubara’s supporters condemning the suspension as a political coup orchestrated by Wike and his allies in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, opposition leaders and civil society groups have called for urgent legislative review, warning that the move could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy.