Rivers State came dangerously close to a total breakdown.
For months, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly locked horns in a bitter political standoff.
The Assembly, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, moved to impeach the governor.
Fubara responded by dissolving the Assembly and running the government without legislative oversight.
The political war brought governance in Rivers to a standstill.

By mid-March 2025, tensions had peaked.
Security agencies warned that militants in the creeks were ready to sabotage oil pipelines.
Rivers, a vital hub for Nigeria’s oil production, stood at the edge of chaos.
President Bola Tinubu knew the risks were too high to ignore.
He had to act.

The President Intervenes

On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State Assembly.
He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as interim administrator.
The goal was clear: restore peace, protect national assets, and prevent bloodshed.

This decision followed weeks of failed reconciliation efforts and worsening threats to economic stability.
The President acted within the law.
Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution gives him the power to declare an emergency during threats to law, order, or national security.

Why the Action Was Necessary

Critics claim the situation didn’t justify emergency rule.
But they miss the point.
Waiting for full-blown violence before acting would have been reckless.
The signs were everywhere.
Militants were preparing attacks.
The governor refused to collaborate with lawmakers.
Media reports stoked public fear.
Schools and hospitals risked closure.
Investors were already pulling back.

President Tinubu chose prevention over disaster.
He did not dissolve democracy.
He hit the pause button to allow breathing space.
The six-month suspension of political actors is a reset—not a takeover.

Restoring Order and Confidence

Immediately after taking office, Vice Admiral Ibas met with traditional leaders and stakeholders.
He promised to restore calm, open dialogue, and resume essential government functions.
The people of Rivers, tired of political fighting, welcomed the change.

Businesses reopened.
Road projects resumed.
The mood in the state shifted from fear to relief.

A Broader Message for Nigeria

President Tinubu’s action sends a strong signal.
He will not watch a key part of Nigeria descend into lawlessness.
Rivers is too important to fail.
It is the lifeline of Nigeria’s oil economy.
One breakdown there affects every Nigerian.

The President’s intervention follows legal precedents.
Past emergencies in Plateau, Borno, and Ekiti were declared under similar circumstances.
He acted to preserve democracy, not to dismantle it.

Conclusion: Tinubu Chose Leadership Over Politics

In times of crisis, leaders must act boldly.
President Tinubu did just that.
He upheld his oath to protect the constitution and the unity of Nigeria.
His action prevented violence, safeguarded lives, and stabilized a fragile economy.

To those calling him a tyrant, here’s a simple question:
What democracy thrives in chaos?
Rivers State stands calmer today because one man chose courage over convenience.

President Tinubu deserves credit—not criticism—for standing up when it mattered most.