Rivers: Military on high alert, says Defence minister

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed his strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, emphasising that this decisive action is vital for restoring stability to the state’s turbulent political landscape.

Matawalle stated that the declaration is a necessary measure to address the ongoing political crisis, which has hindered the delivery of democratic governance and the welfare of the people of Rivers State.

He called on all political actors involved in the crisis to adhere to the President’s declaration and work collaboratively towards a peaceful resolution.

A statement by the Minister’s office said, “In light of the current situation, the Nigerian Military is on high alert to safeguard government infrastructure and ensure the security of the citizens”.

He “warned that any attempts to attack government facilities or disrupt public order will be met with a resolute response from security forces”.

Reflecting on the President’s address regarding the state of emergency, he acknowledged the gravity of the political crisis in Rivers State and the urgent need for intervention.

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He highlighted the unfortunate demolition of the House of Assembly by the state governor, which has left the state without a functioning legislature for over fourteen months.

This action has contributed to the ongoing political impasse and the inability of the government to effectively serve the people.

The Minister also noted the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which reaffirmed the constitutional necessity of a functioning legislature and condemned the governor’s actions as unconstitutional.

He emphasized that the court’s findings call for immediate restoration of democratic governance in the state.

Rivers: Military on high alert, says Defence minister

Ibas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the administrator for Rivers State.

Ibas was named after Tinubu announced the suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for six months.

Until his appointment, he was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021.

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Below are 18 things to know about the new Rivers state administrator:

1. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CFR, psc+ GSS AM ndc MSc) was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria.
2. He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
3. Ibas completed his primary education at Nko Primary School and Big Qua Primary School in Calabar in 1971.
4. He attended the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar from 1972 to 1976, followed by the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja from 1977 to 1979.
5. He continued his schooling at the Nigerian Defence Academy and then earned a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
6. He completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India, from 1983 to 1984, and Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, from 1986 to 1987.
7. In 1990, he completed the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji.
8. He then went on to the Amphibious Warfare Course at the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, in 1992.
9. He also specialised in underwater warfare at NNS Quorra in 1994 and completed the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji in 1997.
10. He also took the National Defence Course at the National Defence College.
11. He served as the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe from 1993 to 1996.
12. He was also the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School from 1997 to 1998 and then the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, from 1998 to 2000.
13. His service positions included directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Service College in Jaji from 2000 to 2002, followed by deputy commandant in 2014.
14. He was the navy provost marshal from 2003 to 2004, and from 2004 to 2005, he was the Chief of Navy Staff’s primary staff officer.
15. He served as commander of the Naval Air Base in Ojo from 2006 to 2009 and then as chief staff officer at the Naval Training Command in Lagos from 2010 to 2011.
16. He also served as the Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters (2011-2012), Navy Secretary (2012-2013), and Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (2013-2014). In 2014, he was named chief of logistics and later GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
17. On July 13, 2015, Ibas was named the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021. After retiring from the Navy, he remained a prominent player in national security and maritime issues.
18. Following the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu named Vice Admiral Ibas as the state’s sole administrator on March 18, 2025. His responsibilities include monitoring government and restoring state order in the face of political upheaval.

Ibas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator

The Senate will today take a position on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.

This was disclosed by a senator who spoke to the Sun on condition of anonymity.

The National Assembly legislates for states under emergency rule. It has the power to approve the president’s declaration of a state of emergency in any part of the country, as outlined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“I don’t want to speak on the matter because we have agreed to deliberate on it tomorrow in plenary. We will take a decision in plenary tomorrow,” he said.

All attempts to get a reaction to the development in Rivers State from spokesman of the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, failed as he did not respond to text message, nor return calls to his line.

But former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former deputy  national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George and the Rivers Peace Initiative (RPI) have criticised the action.

Atiku, in a statement he personally signed, alleged that Tinubu had been a “partisan actor” in the political crisis, saying the declaration of emergency rule was in bad faith.

According to him, President Tinubu cannot escape responsibility for the chaos in Rivers State, which his administration either allegedly enabled or failed to avert.

The statement read: “The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State reeks of political manipulation and outright bad faith. Anyone paying attention to the unfolding crisis knows that Bola Tinubu has been a vested partisan actor in the political turmoil engulfing Rivers. His blatant refusal — or calculated negligence — in preventing this escalation is nothing short of disgraceful.

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“Beyond the political scheming in Rivers, the brazen security breaches that led to the condemnable destruction of national infrastructure in the state land squarely on the President’s desk.

“Tinubu cannot evade responsibility for the chaos his administration has either enabled or failed to prevent.

“It is an unforgivable failure that under Tinubu’s watch, the Niger Delta has been thrown back into an era of violent unrest and instability — undoing the hard-won peace secured by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Years of progress have been recklessly erased in pursuit of selfish political calculations.

“If  federal infrastructure in Rivers has been compromised, the President bears full responsibility. Punishing the people of Rivers State just to serve the political gamesmanship between the governor and Tinubu’s enablers in the federal government is nothing less than an assault on democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

In his reaction, George said Tinubu’s action showed total disrespect for constituted authority.

He said: “This is absolute armageddon. Total disrespect for constituted authority. The Constitution has been viciously violated. We can’t keep quiet. This is recklessness of the highest order. What did Fubara do? As the Commander-in-Chief, you gave Wike soldiers and security agents to try to destabilise Rivers State. The governor does not have powers over any security agency. Like a gentleman that he is, he kept his cool. Nobody has told me what the governor did to warrant this dictatorial emergency rule.

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“What type of democracy is this in 2025? This is how it started in 1962 and 1983. This is a dress rehearsal of what Tinubu wants to do in 2027. APC wants to get all states through unconstitutional means. This state of emergency is absolute balderdash. Did he get the approval of the National Assembly before his broadcast? What happened in Rivers before today was the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob.

Why didn’t he declare a state of emergency in Lagos when the lawmakers were fighting? Why? Why did he invite Diete-Spiff and Niger Delta leaders last week when he knew where he was going? Is Tinubu now becoming a civilian dictator?”

Meanwhile, the Rivers Peace Initiative (RPI) said declaration forced by the deep political impasse that has gripped the state for over 16 months marked a tragic and critical moment in the history of the state.

Convener, Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, expressed this in a statement shortly after the president’s declaration.

“It is impossible to ignore the series of events that have led to this point— events that speak to the failure of leadership, both from the executive and the legislature.

“What should have been a constructive dialogue between political leaders has instead been a prolonged battle of egos and selfish ambitions.

“The people of Rivers State have been caught in the crossfire, deprived of the leadership and progress they so rightfully deserve. As a result, the state has stagnated, and the vision of peace, security, and development has all but disappeared from view.”

The convener of RRI further accused the state political leaders of being responsible for the declaration of a state of emergency by the president.

“The Rivers Peace Initiative acknowledges the difficult position the President has found himself in. The state of emergency, while a constitutional measure, is a hasty decision—one that could have been avoided had our leaders taken greater responsibility and prioritised the well-being of Rivers people over personal interests.

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“This is not a time to celebrate political triumphs or lament political failures. It is a time to reflect deeply on the consequences of our actions, for both the actors involved and for the future of Rivers State.

“Rivers State now stands at a critical juncture. The inability of our elected officials to reach a peaceful resolution has created a vacuum of governance, which has been exploited by outsiders and destructive forces, further complicating the state’s challenges. The implications of such external interference cannot be understated, as it undermines the progress we have worked so hard to achieve as a state and as a people.

According to him, the declaration of a state of emergency might have been necessary, but it is not a perfect solution, and it must not be seen as an end in itself.

“This measure must be a temporary and transformative intervention. We must use this moment to reflect on the deeper causes of our crisis, and to ensure that, once this period of emergency concludes, the focus will shift back to a fully functional democracy that truly reflects the wishes of the Rivers people.

“We call on all stakeholders—political leaders, civil society groups, religious organizations, and citizens of Rivers State—to come together in the spirit of unity, healing, and renewal.

“This is not a time for division, but for collective action and reconciliation. The peace and progress of Rivers State must remain the guiding principles as we navigate this period of uncertainty.

“The Rivers Peace Initiative remains committed to fostering dialogue, and we will continue to advocate for the restoration of peace, security, and the rule of law in Rivers State.

“We urge all parties involved to prioritize the future of Rivers State over political gamesmanship and to work together to rebuild trust, governance, and a sense of purpose for the people.

“Let this state of emergency be a catalyst for real change, a reminder that the collective good should always come before individual interests. We remain hopeful that, in time, Rivers State will rise above this crisis, and that peace, unity, and prosperity will prevail.”

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