March 18, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The announcement came during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM WAT, where the President also declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing an escalating political crisis and breakdown of governance.

In his address, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which allows for such measures in times of national danger or disaster. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period. The President emphasized that the judicial arm of Rivers State remains unaffected and will continue to operate under its constitutional mandate.

The decision follows months of political turmoil in Rivers State, marked by tensions between Governor Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly, as well as reported incidents of unrest, including the alleged vandalization of oil pipelines. Tinubu criticized Fubara for failing to address these security challenges, specifically pointing to an oil facility explosion that occurred on Monday night, which the governor had not publicly condemned nearly 24 hours later. “No responsible President will stand by and allow such a grave situation to persist without taking remedial steps,” Tinubu stated.

The suspension also comes amid a prolonged feud between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, which has deepened the state’s political instability. Tinubu accused both leaders of allowing the crisis to escalate, undermining the welfare of Rivers State residents.

Under the emergency declaration, Vice Admiral Ibas will have the authority to formulate regulations as needed, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President. However, he will not have the power to enact new laws. Tinubu expressed hope that this intervention would “restore peace, order, and good governance” to Rivers State, urging all political actors to respect constitutional imperatives.

Port Harcourt, Rivers State – March 17, 2025
The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, citing allegations of gross misconduct. The move, announced on Monday, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich state.

The impeachment notice, signed by 26 of the 32 assembly members and tabled before Speaker Martins Amaewhule, accuses Governor Fubara of multiple infractions, including reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds, obstructing the legislative functions of the House, and appointing individuals to government positions without required screening and confirmation. A separate notice was also issued against Deputy Governor Ngozi Ordu, alleging misconduct in the performance of her duties. Both notices were framed under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which outlines the legal process for removing a governor or deputy governor.

The development follows weeks of tension between Governor Fubara and the state legislature, largely dominated by lawmakers loyal to Fubara’s predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The immediate trigger appears to be Fubara’s recent attempt to re-present the 2025 budget to the Assembly, in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling affirming the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House. However, the governor was denied entry to the Assembly complex last week, an action lawmakers cited as evidence of his unwillingness to adhere to due process.

Speaker Amaewhule, in a letter to Governor Fubara, urged him to respond to the allegations within 14 days, as stipulated by the Constitution. “The House shall resolve by motion, without debate, whether or not the allegations shall be investigated,” the letter stated, signaling the next step in the impeachment process.

The move has sparked mixed reactions across Rivers State. Supporters of the Assembly argue that Fubara’s actions, including withholding lawmakers’ salaries and allowances, justify the impeachment push. Critics, however, see it as a power play orchestrated by Wike to destabilize Fubara’s administration. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other pro-Fubara groups have warned of severe unrest if the impeachment proceeds, with some threatening to disrupt oil facilities in the Niger Delta, a region critical to Nigeria’s economy.

Governor Fubara has yet to publicly respond to the impeachment notice, though he previously vowed to resist attempts to derail his governance. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the process, calling it an assault on democracy, while the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Tony Okocha, has openly supported the lawmakers’ actions, urging Fubara to resign or face removal.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect, but this development is seen as a major win in the ongoing fight against crime in the region. The police have assured the public that investigations are underway to dismantle any associated criminal networks. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as efforts intensify to restore safety and security.

 In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Senate has reportedly extended a fresh invitation to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi Central, for a new round of investigation. This development comes barely a week after her controversial six-month suspension from legislative duties, which was announced on March 6, 2025, and follows her high-profile allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Sources within the Senate indicate that the invitation is linked to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Senator Natasha’s conduct and the circumstances that led to her suspension. The initial suspension, recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, cited “gross misconduct” and “unruly behavior” as the basis for the disciplinary action. These charges stemmed from alleged violations including defying seating arrangements, speaking without recognition, and making abusive remarks against Senate leadership during a plenary session on February 20, 2025. However, the timing of the suspension—shortly after her petition against Akpabio—raised widespread speculation of retaliation.

Senator Natasha escalated the matter to the global stage earlier this week, addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during its Women in Parliament session at the United Nations in New York on March 11, 2025. She described her suspension as “illegal” and accused the Senate of attempting to silence her for demanding a transparent investigation into her harassment claims. Her allegations have sparked international attention and polarized opinions within Nigeria, with women’s rights groups and Labour Party supporters rallying behind her, while the Senate leadership has staunchly defended its actions.

In response to her IPU address, the Nigerian Senate, through a letter penned by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and presented by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, clarified to the IPU on March 13, 2025, that Senator Natasha’s suspension was unrelated to her harassment petition. The Senate insisted it was a consequence of her persistent disregard for Senate Standing Orders. Nonetheless, Hon. Ogbara called for an independent probe into the harassment allegations, signaling that the matter remains far from resolved.

This latest invitation for investigation, details of which are yet to be fully disclosed, suggests the Senate may be reevaluating its stance or seeking to address the mounting pressure from both domestic and international observers. It remains unclear whether this probe will focus solely on the misconduct charges or extend to the harassment allegations that have cast a shadow over the Senate’s reputation.

Public reaction has been swift, with many Nigerians viewing this as a potential step toward accountability, while others question the Senate’s motives. The controversy continues to unfold as Senator Natasha’s legal challenge against Akpabio, seeking 100 billion naira ($64,000) in damages for defamation, also looms large.

As of now, neither Senator Natasha nor the Senate leadership has issued an official statement regarding the specifics of this new invitation. All eyes remain on the National Assembly as this saga tests the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative body and its commitment to fairness and justice.