Rivers Crisis: Tinubu’s Emergency Rule Faces Backlash as Sole Administrator Urged to Show Restraint

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened following the controversial imposition of emergency rule by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the suspension of the state’s democratically elected officials. In response, the office of the state’s sole administrator has emphasized the “sweeping powers” granted under the emergency decree while also urging restraint from protesters loyal to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Hector Igbikiowubo, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the appointed sole administrator, confirmed that the emergency gazette empowers Ibas with extensive authority to govern the state. However, he stated that the administrator has chosen a path of calm and dialogue, resisting the use of force despite mounting street protests and growing resistance.

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Protests Test Resolve Amid Emergency Powers

Since the declaration on March 18, 2025, which saw the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, tensions have flared. Pro-Fubara groups have taken to the streets in Port Harcourt, demanding the immediate reversal of what they describe as a constitutional violation.

Igbikiowubo addressed these demonstrations directly. “These protests, for whatever reason, are testing the administrator’s will. The fact that people are able to protest speaks to the administrator’s level of tolerance,” he said.

He added that the administrator is focused on peace and democratic restoration and that residents should exercise restraint to avoid further tension. “All hands must be on deck to restore democratic institutions,” he stated.

Administrator Engages Stakeholders for Peace

In a bid to ease the growing unrest, Vice Admiral Ibas has reportedly begun consultations with key stakeholders. According to Igbikiowubo, the administrator met with the Rivers State leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday to discuss pathways to peace and institutional recovery.

“This meeting took place at the administrator’s initiative,” Igbikiowubo said. “He is making arrangements to meet with other important stakeholders in the state.”

The administrator’s media aide described these meetings as a testament to Ibas’s commitment to steering the state back toward democratic stability. However, when asked about the administrator’s response to an invitation by the House of Representatives for an inquiry into the emergency rule, Igbikiowubo responded briefly: “No, we don’t have a date yet.”

Calls for Reversal and Accountability Grow

Meanwhile, the emergency declaration has sparked national and international concern. A coalition of Rivers State citizens, led by prominent figures such as Donu Kogbara and Dane Ibim Semenitari, issued an open letter on Wednesday addressed to President Tinubu and copied to the National Assembly and various international organizations.

The group condemned the declaration as “unconstitutional,” citing Section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines specific conditions under which a state of emergency may legally be declared. These include threats such as war, natural disasters, or civil unrest beyond the control of normal law enforcement—a threshold they argue has not been met in Rivers.

“This action reflects a blatant disregard for the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers State,” the letter stated. The group described the emergency rule as a “deliberate subversion of the people’s will” and an abuse of executive authority.

They demanded a full investigation into the decision-making process behind the declaration and called for the immediate reinstatement of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the suspended lawmakers.

Constitutional Clash or Crisis Management?

As the controversy unfolds, questions continue to mount about the legal and moral implications of the federal government’s actions in Rivers State. Critics see it as a dangerous precedent that threatens Nigeria’s democratic foundation, while supporters argue it is a necessary intervention to restore order and governance.

With the state in political limbo and tensions still high, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the federal government’s emergency strategy can maintain order—or further deepen Nigeria’s complex democratic crisis.