The political storm that engulfed Rivers State earlier this year seemed to reach a breaking point until President Bola Tinubu stepped in decisively.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator appointed to manage the state during the crisis, has publicly praised Tinubu’s intervention as both timely and essential for restoring order.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt on Saturday
Ibas lauded the President’s actions, describing them as a firm commitment to peace and stability not only in Rivers State but also across the Niger Delta region.
A Crisis Ignored Until It Exploded
Rivers State had been simmering with political tension following a bitter fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Federal Capital Territory Minister.
The feud escalated into chaos, culminating in the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly in December 2023 and paralysis of the state government.
The Supreme Court had earlier condemned the collapse of governance in Rivers, stating that a government cannot exist without all three arms functioning.
Yet, the crisis dragged on, with the state’s budget unpassed and legislative processes stalled.
Violence and insecurity worsened, including pipeline vandalism and militant attacks that threatened Nigeria’s oil-rich heartland.
Tinubu’s Bold Move: State of Emergency Declared
On March 18, 2025, Tinubu’s timely intervention in Rivers State led him to declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly.
The move shocked many but was justified by Tinubu as necessary to prevent further descent into anarchy.
The President cited constitutional provisions and judicial findings of grave breaches by the state government.
He accused Fubara of running a despotic regime, pointing to the demolition of the Assembly as an attempt to govern without legislative oversight.
Tinubu’s timely intervention in Rivers State was not without controversy.
Critics questioned the federal government’s heavy-handedness and the suspension of elected officials.
However, supporters argued it was the only way to restore democracy and peace.
Following the emergency declaration, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator to steer Rivers State through the crisis.
At the NDDC event, Ibas expressed gratitude to Tinubu for his “unwavering commitment” and “strong political will” toward regional development and national cohesion.
He praised the President’s “timely, firm, and deeply reassuring” actions that restored governance and order in the troubled state.
Ibas’ remarks underline the federal government’s narrative that the intervention was necessary and effective.
Political Fallout and Reconciliation Efforts
The intervention sparked mixed reactions. Suspended Governor Fubara publicly credited Tinubu for averting anarchy and initiating peace talks with Wike.
In June, after a presidential-led peace meeting, Fubara and Wike reconciled, pledging to work together to restore stability.
Despite this, questions linger about the legitimacy of suspending elected officials and the impact on democratic governance.
The emergency rule sidelined Rivers’ political class, raising concerns about federal overreach and militarization of civil administration.
The NDDC’s Role and Rivers State’s Stake
Ibas also reflected on the NDDC’s 25-year journey, calling it a “beacon of regional integration and intervention.”
He highlighted the commission’s contributions to infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, water, and health projects in Rivers State.
As host to the NDDC headquarters, Rivers has been both a major contributor and beneficiary.
Ibas stressed that the state’s development cannot be divorced from the commission’s work, which has helped bridge infrastructure gaps and improve livelihoods.
Is Tinubu’s Intervention a Model or a Mess
While Ibas praises Tinubu’s decisive action, critics argue that the intervention exposes deeper problems in Nigeria’s federal system.
The suspension of elected officials and imposition of a military administrator raise alarms about democratic backsliding.
The crisis in Rivers was allowed to fester for too long, and the federal government’s response, though strong, may have set a dangerous precedent.
Many wonder if political rivalries were allowed to escalate unchecked, forcing a drastic and controversial federal takeover.
Moreover, questions about the long-term impact on Rivers’ democracy remain.
Can peace and stability be sustained without elected representatives?
Will the emergency rule deliver genuine reforms or simply entrench federal control?
The Bigger Picture: Niger Delta Stability and National Cohesion
The region’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy makes stability essential.
Ibas’ speech linked the restoration of order in Rivers to the NDDC’s mission of regional development.
The federal government projects an image of strong leadership focused on economic equity and national unity.
Yet, the controversy surrounding the emergency rule reveals underlying tensions between federal authority and state autonomy.
The balance between maintaining order and respecting democratic principles remains fragile.
A Controversial but Necessary Intervention
Vice Admiral Ibas’ praise of President Tinubu’s intervention highlights the federal government’s narrative of decisive leadership rescuing Rivers State from chaos.
However, the suspension of elected officials and imposition of emergency rule remain deeply contentious.
The crisis exposed governance failures in Rivers and the Niger Delta, but the solution raises questions about democracy, federalism, and political power in Nigeria.
As Rivers slowly returns to normalcy, the nation watches closely to see if this intervention will be a blueprint for peace or a warning of deeper political troubles ahead.
