The Federal Government has assured residents of Rivers State that the state of emergency imposed in the region will soon be lifted, as normalcy continues to return. This announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview where he provided clarity on the reasons behind the state of emergency and the government’s commitment to reinstating democratic governance.
Idris highlighted that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to restoring full democratic structures in Rivers State as soon as the situation stabilizes. The minister assured the public that the President has no intentions of taking over the governance of Rivers State, addressing speculations and rumours suggesting otherwise.
“The president has no intention whatsoever to take over the governance of Rivers State. He has no intention to be or to appoint a governor for Rivers State,” Idris stated. “As soon as he assesses that sanity has returned to Rivers State, he will ensure the restoration of all democratic structures in that state.”
The state of emergency in Rivers was declared several months ago, following a series of violent clashes and security challenges that disrupted governance and civil order in the state. These challenges included acts of sabotage, militant activities, and widespread insecurity, which left both local authorities and residents struggling to maintain control. Idris noted that the state had suffered a collapse in governance, making federal intervention necessary.
“The decision to impose emergency rule was necessary due to the collapse of governance in the state, which required urgent intervention,” Idris explained. He added that under the Nigerian Constitution, the three arms of government — the executive, judiciary, and legislature — must function together, and the failure of one arm puts the entire democratic system at risk.
He further elaborated that the executive arm was the only one still functioning properly in Rivers, while the legislature and judiciary were largely incapacitated, making the intervention by the federal government crucial. “The way democracy is designed in this country is that the three arms of government must work together, and one will be checking the other,” Idris said. “We cannot have just the executive functioning and say we have a functional democracy. We didn’t have that, and therefore, the president had to act.”
The state of emergency was declared after security forces, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, and Air Force, were deployed to restore order. These actions were meant to tackle rising criminal activities, pipeline vandalism, and armed militancy that had intensified in the region. The federal government’s decision to take such drastic steps was seen as a direct response to the deteriorating security situation in the oil-rich state.
According to Idris, while the emergency rule remains in place, the president’s goal is not to overstep democratic processes but to bring stability and order back to the state. He assured Nigerians that as soon as the situation was fully assessed and stability returned to Rivers, the state of emergency would be lifted, and governance would be restored to the local authorities.
“This phase is temporary. It is a necessary step to restore law and order. The president is committed to ensuring that this emergency rule does not last a minute longer than necessary. Once he deems that the situation in the state has normalized, he will restore the proper democratic structures,” Idris said.
The emergency rule has been a topic of significant discussion, with some stakeholders expressing concerns over the suspension of democratic governance and the imposition of federal control. Critics argue that the state’s emergency rule undermines the democratic process and may lead to political instability. However, government officials, including Idris, have maintained that the emergency intervention was purely to restore peace and security and not to meddle with the governance of the state.
At the same time, the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to oversee the administration of the state during the emergency period has been met with mixed reactions. While some residents and politicians argue that the appointment was necessary to ensure effective governance in a period of unrest, others view it as an unnecessary imposition on the state’s autonomy.
Despite the concerns surrounding the emergency rule, Idris made it clear that President Tinubu’s administration remains fully committed to the rule of law and the restoration of Rivers State’s democratic processes once the security situation is under control.
Idris also emphasized that the emergency measures were in line with constitutional provisions, stressing that the intervention was taken not only to restore peace but also to safeguard the country’s overall democratic framework. “This move is fully in line with constitutional provisions. It is aimed at preventing the breakdown of law and order, which could have far-reaching consequences on the well-being of the people,” he explained.
The Minister assured that the federal government was keenly aware of the political and social dynamics in Rivers State, especially the concerns of local residents and various stakeholders, including labour unions. He noted that the government would not hold onto emergency rule indefinitely but would aim to return the state to normalcy as soon as feasible.
Rivers State has long been at the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry, and its economic importance cannot be overstated. However, the state has also faced persistent security challenges, including militancy, kidnappings, and acts of sabotage targeting the oil and gas infrastructure. These issues have led to instability and a fragile governance structure, which the federal government sought to stabilize through the emergency rule.
In the aftermath of the state’s security issues, there have been calls for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying causes of unrest, such as poverty, youth unemployment, and the lack of infrastructure. While the security forces have made significant efforts to curb violence, experts believe that long-term solutions are needed to prevent future crises and ensure sustainable peace in the state.
The timeline for the end of the emergency rule remains uncertain, with many waiting for clear signs of improvement. However, Idris assured Nigerians that the federal government was working closely with state authorities to monitor the situation on the ground and would take necessary action as the circumstances evolve.
As the situation in Rivers continues to unfold, all eyes will be on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to see when the state of emergency will be lifted and when normal governance can resume. In the meantime, Rivers residents are hopeful that the measures will bring lasting peace and restore democratic governance in the state.
