Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has justified President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that the move was necessary to prevent a total breakdown of governance.
Speaking to State House correspondents at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Fagbemi insisted that the President’s intervention was timely and aimed at restoring stability in the oil-rich state.
“We are two years into the administration in Rivers. When exactly should the President have acted—after everything had collapsed? I don’t think so,” Fagbemi said. “The President gave all parties involved a chance to resolve their differences. He even mediated before taking this decisive action.”
Tinubu Suspends Governor, Appoints Administrator
On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited persistent political instability, constitutional violations, and growing security threats as the basis for his decision.
The crisis in Rivers State stems from a prolonged power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (Rtd.), former Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021), as the sole administrator of the state until order is restored.
Tinubu: “Action Was Inevitable”
In his announcement, Tinubu stated that Fubara had failed to request federal intervention under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution, compelling him to invoke emergency powers.
“Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers with effect from today, March 18, 2025,” Tinubu said.
He further clarified that the judiciary in Rivers would continue to function normally, assuring that the state of emergency only affects the executive and legislative arms.
While the declaration has sparked widespread debate and opposition—including from the Nigerian Bar Association and the Peoples Democratic Party governors—Fagbemi maintained that the move was necessary to protect democratic stability and public order in Rivers State.
