The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history. This action, taken under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, involved the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for an initial six-month period, with Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) appointed as administrator.
The stated reason was a prolonged political crisis that began in September 2023, which had paralyzed governance in the oil-rich state. To understand this event in context, let’s examine similar occurrences in Nigeria’s history since its return to democracy in 1999, as well as notable instances from earlier periods.
Post-1999 Instances of State of Emergency
Since Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999, states of emergency have been declared several times, typically in response to severe political instability, ethnic or religious violence, or insurgent activities. Below are key examples:
Plateau State (2004)
Context: In May 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State due to escalating ethnic and religious violence between Christian and Muslim communities, particularly in the state capital, Jos. The conflict resulted in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement.
Action: Governor Joshua Dariye was suspended, the state legislature was dissolved, and Major General Chris Alli (retd.) was appointed as administrator for six months.
Similarity: Like Rivers State in 2025, this involved the suspension of elected officials and the appointment of an administrator, though the trigger was violence rather than a purely political crisis. Both cases reflect the federal government’s intervention when local governance fails to maintain order or function effectively.
Ekiti State (2006)
Context: In October 2006, President Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State following a political crisis sparked by the impeachment of Governor Ayodele Fayose on charges of corruption and abuse of office. The impeachment process led to chaos, including the suspension of the state assembly speaker and violent clashes.
Action: Fayose and his deputy were removed, and Tunji Olurin, a retired general, was appointed as administrator for six months.
Similarity: This parallels the Rivers State case as it stemmed from a political crisis rather than widespread violence or insurgency. In both instances, the president acted to suspend elected officials and install an administrator to restore stability, highlighting the use of emergency powers to address governance breakdowns.
Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013)
Context: On May 14, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in these three northeastern states in response to the Boko Haram insurgency, which had overwhelmed local authorities with bombings, kidnappings, and territorial control.
Action: Unlike Plateau and Ekiti, the governors and state assemblies were not suspended. Instead, the federal government deployed additional troops, imposed curfews, and granted security forces expanded powers to combat the insurgents.
Difference: This differs from Rivers State in 2025, as it was a security-driven emergency rather than a political one, and elected officials retained their positions. However, it shares the commonality of federal intervention in a crisis deemed beyond state control.
Niger, Plateau, Yobe, and Borno States (2011)
Context: On December 31, 2011, President Jonathan declared a limited state of emergency in specific local government areas across these four states following Boko Haram attacks, including the Christmas Day bombings.
Action: The declaration included temporary border closures and enhanced security measures, but state governments remained intact.
Difference: This was narrower in scope compared to the full suspension of state leadership seen in Rivers State, focusing on targeted security measures rather than governance overhaul.
Pre-1999 Notable Instance
Before 1999, during Nigeria’s early post-independence years, a significant precedent occurred:
Western Region (1962)
Context: In May 1962, Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa declared a state of emergency in the Western Region amid a political crisis within the Action Group (AG), the ruling party. A factional dispute between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, compounded by electoral irregularities and violence, led to a breakdown of order.
Action: The regional government was suspended, and Dr. Moses Majekodunmi was appointed as administrator for six months. The emergency was lifted in December 1962 after stabilizing the region.
Similarity: This is perhaps the closest historical parallel to Rivers State in 2025. Both involved political infighting that paralyzed governance, prompting the central government to suspend elected officials and appoint an administrator. The key difference is the democratic context—1962 occurred under a fragile parliamentary system, while 2025 is within a presidential democracy.
Analysis and Patterns
Triggers: Historically, states of emergency in Nigeria have been triggered by either security threats (e.g., Boko Haram) or political crises (e.g., Ekiti, Western Region). The Rivers State declaration aligns with the latter, a rarer occurrence since 1999, where the crisis is internal to the political class rather than involving widespread violence or external threats.
Federal Overreach Concerns: In cases like Plateau (2004) and Ekiti (2006), critics argued that the declarations undermined democracy by sidelining elected officials, a sentiment echoed in some reactions to the Rivers State action on X posts in 2025. The Western Region case similarly faced accusations of partisan misuse by the federal government.
Duration and Administration: The six-month initial period and appointment of a military or retired military figure as administrator (e.g., Ibas in Rivers, Alli in Plateau, Olurin in Ekiti) are consistent features, reflecting a preference for centralized control during emergencies.
Legal Basis: All post-1999 declarations, including Rivers State, adhere to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, requiring National Assembly approval within days, a safeguard not present in the 1962 parliamentary system.
Conclusion
The Rivers State emergency of March 18, 2025, mirrors earlier instances like the Western Region (1962) and Ekiti (2006) most closely, where political dysfunction—rather than insurgency or mass violence—prompted federal intervention.
While Plateau (2004) shares the feature of suspending elected officials, its violent context sets it apart. The 2013 northeastern emergency, though impactful, differs significantly due to its security focus and retention of state leadership. These historical parallels underscore Nigeria’s recurring challenge of balancing federal authority with state autonomy, a tension likely to shape debates around the Rivers State declaration.