Rivers Crisis: What Tinubu Did Before Declaring State Of Emergency, House Of Reps Explains

• The House of Representatives has reacted to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state
• The spokesman of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, said President Bola Tinubu consulted the leadership of the National Assembly before taking the decision
• According to Rotimi, Tinubu has written to the House seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events.

FCT, Abuja - The House of Representatives said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu consulted its members before declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers state.

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers state. He made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

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Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.

The spokesman of the House, Akintunde Rotimi, confirmed that Tinubu consulted the National Assembly and security agencies before taking the decision.

As reported by The Nation, Rotimi made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

“In response to multiple inquiries, I can confirm that the National Assembly was duly consulted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in reaching this decision."

He added that the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, met with President Tinubu ahead of the broadcast.

“During this meeting, they were fully briefed on Mr. President’s intentions and all present unanimously expressed their support.

“Furthermore, Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted and will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and further legislative action debated and decided.”

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as the sole administrator for Rivers state.

President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

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Tinubu noted that his actions were in the interest of the good people of Rivers state.

State of emergency legal and necessary – Lawyer Hassan

Aare Oladotun Hassan, President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide and former Secretary of the NBA Epe Branch, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in that Rivers state, describing it as constitutional and necessary to prevent further chaos.

"It is very important to acknowledge that the president has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in times of crisis where there are disasters, calamity, or even where the state governor requests it," Hassan told Legit.ng.

He explained that the president's decision must still be ratified by the National Assembly.

"The invocation of that state of emergency is now subject to the ratification or a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly," the public affairs analyst said.

Hassan stressed that Tinubu's swift action was aimed at preventing an escalating crisis that is "going beyond reasonableness," he stated.

He criticised the governor for demolishing the State House of Assembly, calling it "highly condemnable" and an "impeachable offense."

According to Hassan, the crisis could have spiraled into anarchy if left unchecked.

"If that state of emergency had not been declared, where youths of that state have already gone haywire - the war is already very glaring that millions of lives can be lost," he warned.

He also noted that forces benefiting from the crisis wanted instability that could render the governor powerless.

"It goes to say that the situation is beyond what the governor can contain because people who are benefiting from this crisis would have wanted a state of anarchy," he added.

Hassan emphasised the legal foundation of Tinubu’s action.

"For me, what the president has done is reasonably correct, legal, and constitutional," he said.

He concluded that the move also shielded the governor from a looming impeachment.

"What Mr. President has done firstly is to salvage and save the governor from imminent impeachment," he asserted.

Rivers govt speaks as Tinubu declares State of Emergency

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Rivers state government on Tuesday night, March 18, said it is early to make comments on the presidential declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

Joseph Johnson, commissioner of information and communications, said it was too hasty for the government to take any position.

“The president has made a declaration and what do you think we can say? I think it is too hasty to make any comment about it.”

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a public affairs analyst for this report.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.