President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deployed armed security operatives, including the Nigerian Army, to occupy the Rivers State Government House following his suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening shows several military vans filled with armed operatives heading toward the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
This comes shortly after President Tinubu, during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and security concerns.
The decision, which has been met with fierce criticism, saw the immediate suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
“In the circumstances, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State… it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March 2025,” Tinubu announced.
He further stated, “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.”
To oversee the state’s affairs, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. However, he emphasized that Ibas would not have the authority to make new laws, only to manage governance and restore stability.
The crisis in Rivers State stems from a deepening political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tensions began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, with Wike allegedly seeking to control the state’s political structure from Abuja.
However, Fubara resisted Wike’s influence, leading to a bitter power struggle that saw 27 pro-Wike lawmakers defect from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.
The defection gave Wike’s loyalists a legislative advantage, setting the stage for a failed impeachment attempt against Fubara.
The political turmoil escalated in October 2023 when the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was set on fire during a violent confrontation between pro-Fubara and pro-Wike factions.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, further complicated the crisis, as it has been seen by some analysts as going beyond the scope of the original case.
The PDP accused the court of bias, stating that the ruling effectively legitimised the lawmakers’ defection and paved the way for the federal government’s intervention.
Following the emergency declaration, at least ten military trucks were seen patrolling the road leading to the Government House main gate.
Armored vehicles were also stationed at critical points around the area. Eyewitnesses reported a noticeable shift in movement as residents hurried to return home amid fears of potential unrest.
A Port Harcourt resident, who requested anonymity, described the scene: “The road leading to Government House from Isaac Boro Park to UTC Junction is deserted. People are rushing home because no one wants to be caught in a crossfire.
“I counted about ten military trucks patrolling the area, and armored tanks have been stationed at both entrance roads leading to Government House.”
As at press time, it was unclear whether Governor Fubara had vacated the Government House.
A source within the Government House suggested that the governor may have anticipated the state of emergency and had been preparing for the development.
“The governor was in meetings all day with members of the suspended State Executive Council. He seemed to have sensed what was coming,” the source told our reporter.
A former commissioner, who briefly spoke with our reporter over the phone, confirmed that he was in a meeting with the governor at the time.
He promised to provide more details later but could not be reached as of press time. The unfolding situation in Rivers State remains tense as stakeholders await further developments.
Credit: SaharaReporters/Legit.ng
