President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending key officials due to political tensions. This marks the latest in a series of emergency declarations in Nigeria since 1999, each responding to unique governance issues and crises.
Since the return to civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999, numerous states of emergency have been declared to address various crises. The most recent declaration by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected assembly members in Rivers State for an initial six-month period. This decision aims to manage escalating political tensions within the state.
The timeline of emergency declarations includes:
– Plateau State (2004): President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a state of emergency on May 18, 2004, due to severe ethno-religious violence, resulting in over 2,000 casualties and suspending Governor Joshua Dariye along with the State Assembly. Major General Chris Alli was appointed as administrator.
– Ekiti State (2006): Following the controversial impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose, a political crisis led President Obasanjo to declare emergency rule, appointing Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin as state administrator to restore order.
– Some Local Governments in Borno and Plateau (2011): On December 31, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan declared emergency rule targeting select local government areas following the rise of Boko Haram attacks and communal violence.
– Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States (2013–2014): In response to increasing Boko Haram insurgency, President Jonathan declared emergency rule encompassing these three states, granting extensive military powers as a measure to counter terrorist activities including the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction in 2014.
The recent declaration of emergency in Rivers is positioned within this context of historical governance responses to crises in Nigeria, showcasing a pattern of intervention by the national government in state affairs.
The article outlines the history of emergency declarations in Nigeria since 1999, highlighting significant cases where states have been placed under federal control due to political or security crises. The recent declaration in Rivers State underlines ongoing governance challenges. Each case illustrates the government’s mechanism to address instability through suspension of elected officials and appointment of military or civilian administrators, revealing the complex interplay between state and federal powers in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com
