Military personnel have swiftly moved to secure the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency. Sources confirmed that soldiers entered the premises around 9 PM while Governor Fubara was still in his official residence. An Armoured Personnel Carrier was positioned at the entrance to the government complex.
The President’s announcement sent residents of Port Harcourt rushing to their homes, with many expressing concerns about the political situation that led to this extraordinary measure.
In justifying his decision, President Tinubu stated he was “disturbed by the unfolding events in the state, which appeared to have defied political solutions, stalled development and progress, and denied the people of the state the dividends of democracy.”
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas has been appointed as the state administrator to oversee governance during this period.
The President clarified that the state’s judicial branch would continue to function normally. The emergency administrator will not be empowered to create new laws but may formulate necessary regulations subject to Federal Executive Council approval and presidential promulgation.
“It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players,” President Tinubu said.
The emergency declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with constitutional requirements.
