President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a State of Emergency in Rivers State, and immediately announced retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as Administrator.
ENigeria News reports that President Tinubu’s pronouncement of a State of Emergency in Rivers State came amid the political tension in in the State following disagreement between governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The political crisis continued to deteriorate leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state, including vandalization of pipelines by some militant as reported in the news hours ago.
In a Tv broadcast announcing the State of Emergency, president Tinubu said, “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.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”
