Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, Suspends Governor and Assembly

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political crisis and security concerns. In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.   

The president pointed to recent pipeline vandalism and a failure by the state government to address the security situation as key factors in his decision. "No good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps," Tinubu stated, referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.