Rivers Crisis: Tinubu Meets Ibas Ahead of Emergency Rule Expiry

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a closed-door session that lasted over two hours, just as the emergency rule imposed on the oil-rich state winds down.

The meeting comes barely two weeks before the September 18 expiration of the six-month state of emergency, which the President declared on March 18 following the protracted political crisis that rocked the state.

During the nationwide broadcast that announced the measure, Tinubu had suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to justify the drastic intervention.

The President then appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, to administer the state’s affairs for the period, with a mandate to restore order and prevent a breakdown of governance.

While details of Wednesday’s parley were not disclosed, sources around the Villa said the discussions focused on transition arrangements, security updates, and steps towards a possible handover as the emergency period lapses.

The Rivers political crisis, which had degenerated into violent clashes, legislative paralysis, and threats to public order, prompted Tinubu’s proclamation at the time.

The emergency rule effectively vested executive and legislative powers of the state in the Presidency through Ibas.