Emergency Rule Declared in Rivers State

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State under Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for six months. A retired Chief of Naval Staff was appointed sole administrator.

The declaration followed a prolonged political crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. It was the first emergency declaration in Nigeria since 1962. Eleven PDP governors filed a Supreme Court challenge, and the emergency was lifted on September 18, 2025.