Military Coup OR Constitutional Action? Soldiers Occupy Rivers Govt House Following State OF Emergency

Soldiers were deployed to key locations, including the Government House in Port Harcourt, with an Armoured Personnel Carrier positioned at the entrance on Azikiwe Road. The deployment began around 9 pm, but it remains unclear whether Governor Siminalayi Fubara was present at his official residence when the troops arrived.

The emergency declaration follows months of political tension between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, heightening anxiety across Rivers State.

In Port Harcourt, residents and motorists rushed to return home, fearing potential chaos following the announcement.

In a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu justified the declaration, citing the unresolved political crisis in the state. He announced that Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly would be suspended for six months. Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s administrator during this period, assuring that the judiciary would continue to function according to constitutional requirements.

In response, Governor Fubara issued a statement urging Rivers residents to stay calm. In his release, he reaffirmed his commitment to the law and democratic processes, while accusing members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, particularly those loyal to Wike, of obstructing his efforts to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling. He stressed that despite the political standoff, governance continued, with salaries being paid and development projects ongoing.

As the situation unfolds, political leaders, parties, and legal experts have voiced strong opposition to President Tinubu’s move, calling the state of emergency undemocratic and a violation of constitutional rights.