• More updates in the Tinubu Rivers state of emergency
Yesterday, President Bola Tinubu declared state of emergency in Rivers State. Citing the lingering political crisis as his reason, he suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, his deputy and all the elected members of the state House of Assembly.
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rted.), was tapped to control the affairs of the state for the first period of six months.
While this is not the first time a state of emergency is declared in Nigeria, Tinubu’s action was the most controversial. Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the president to use state of emergency under certain circumstances.
Read Also: Ibok-Ete Ibas – 8 interesting facts about the new Rivers State administrator
- Plateau State (2004): Former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared state of emergency in Plateau State in 2004. It was during the escalating ethno-religious killings in the state. He suspended the governor, his deputy and the state legislature, then appointed Major General Chris Alli (retd.) to restore order.
- Ekiti State (2006): There was a big problem in Ekiti State in 2006. The state House of Assembly had impeached the then-Governor Ayo Fayose. The controversy following the impeachment was too much and had plunged the state in chaos. Again, former President Olusegun Obasanjo weighed in, imposed emergency rule and appointed Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.).
- Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013): Former President Goodluck Jonathan used emergency rules in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in 2013. It was in the wake of mounting pressure from the Boko Haram insurgents. Because the situations there were different, the governors and the assemblies were not suspended. Troops were deployed in the state. tagged: Tinubu rivers state of emergency