Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an initial period of six months.
The suspension was as a result of prolonged political fights and events that have impacted the state.
President Tinubu then appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.), as the sole administrator to be in charge of the state and run its affairs during the emergency rule.
In his broadcast, Tinubu cited Section 305(5) of the 1999 constitution, which empowers the president to declare a state of emergency under specific conditions.
Checks revealed that the recent development in Rivers State would be the fourth time a state of emergency would be declared by a sitting President since the return of civil rule in 1999.
Additional findings revealed that in two of the five states namely; Plateau and Ekiti where a state of emergency was declared in the past, governors and assembly members were suspended, while extra troops were deployed and curfews were implemented to control insurgency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states respectively.
Below is a list of state governors who were suspended since 1999 and why:
1. Joshua Chibi Dariye (Plateau, May 2004)
Joshua Dariye is the first Nigerian governor to be suspended from office since the return of civil rule in 1999. He served as the governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2004; 2004 to 2006; and from April to May 2007. He also served as a Senator representing the Plateau Central Senatorial District from 2011 to 2019.
Why was he suspended?
On May 2, 2004, it was reported that a religious attack led by Christians of the Tarok tribe led to the killings of Muslims in Yelwa, Plateau State. In retaliation, Muslims in Kano State started killing Christians, leading to a breakdown of law and order.
Reports also disclosed that Christians and Muslims in Plateau had earlier fought against each other and lost over 2000 people on both sides since 2001 following the declaration of a state of emergency.
President Olusegun Obasanjo in May 2004 declared a state of emergency in Plateau State after a surge in ethno-religious violence which led to widespread killings and destruction. Obasanjo suspended the governor and state assembly and appointed Major General Chris Alli (retd.) as the sole administrator of Plateau State.
2. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State, October 2006)
Peter Ayo Fayose, born 15 November 1960 served as governor of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2006, and again from 2014 to 2018.
Why was he suspended?
In the case of Ayodele Fayose, a leadership crisis in Ekiti State between the executive and legislative arms of government propelled the state of emergency in 2006.
According to findings, the Ekiti State House of Assembly instituted an impeachment proceedings against Ayodele Fayose on the grounds of corruption allegations, diversion of state funds and receipt of kickbacks.
The assembly succeeded in removing Fayose, Deputy Governor Abiodun Olujimi and Kayode Bamisile, the state’s chief judge. They installed the Speaker of the House, Friday Aderemi as the governor. This resulted into a political crisis and plunged the state into chaos.
In response, President Obasanjo described Fayose’s impeachment as a clear case of usurpation of power, adding that it is dangerous for our democracy to allow this flagrant violation.
President Olusegun Obasanjo invoked Section 305(3) of the 1999 constitution to declare a state of emergency in the state and appointed Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin (retd.) as a sole administrator.
3. Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers, March 2025)
Siminalayi Fubara is currently the suspended Governor of Rivers State. He previously served as Accountant general of the Rivers State. He was born in Opobo Town in the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Why he was suspended?
Rivers State has been embroiled in a political crisis, with internal conflicts within the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leading to threats of impeachment against the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
The continued disagreement between the executive arm of Rivers State Government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of Rivers State House of Assembly has escalated into profound political crisis, causing political tensions and security challenges in the state.
Recently, a series of pipeline vandalizations by militants were recorded which threatened the nation’s oil infrastructure and economic stability.
In response, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency in the state, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
WITHIN NIGERIA
