In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, sparking heated discussions on social media, particularly the hashtag “Terrible President.” The announcement, which came late yesterday evening, was made in a nationwide broadcast where Tinubu expressed his deep concern over the escalating crisis in the state. “The situation in Rivers State has reached a critical point, and immediate action is required to restore order,” Tinubu stated during the address.
The crisis, which had been brewing for weeks, took a sharp turn when Tinubu accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of ordering the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex. This move, according to the president, was a direct affront to the stability of the state’s governance and prompted urgent federal intervention. “The destruction of state institutions cannot be tolerated,” Tinubu asserted. “We must take decisive action to protect the integrity of our democratic systems.”
As part of his emergency declaration, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for a period of six months. The president’s decision also extended to all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were suspended indefinitely. This suspension is seen as a direct response to the ongoing political turmoil and the alleged actions of the state leadership, which Tinubu believes were detrimental to the peace and order in Rivers State.
In a bid to stabilize the situation, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State. Ibas, who has had a long career in the Nigerian military, was tasked with overseeing the state’s governance during the state of emergency. “Admiral Ibas is a trusted leader, and I believe he will bring the necessary order and discipline to the state during this period of unrest,” Tinubu said, hoping that Ibas’s leadership would help restore normalcy in the region.
Despite the urgency of the presidential declaration, many Nigerians have voiced their dissatisfaction with the timing and effectiveness of Tinubu’s intervention. Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have been flooded with critical comments, and the hashtag “Terrible President” quickly gained traction.
