The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
According to reports, President Tinubu made the announcement on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly due to the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich state. In place of the suspended government, he appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program, Onanuga criticized the tendency of Nigerians to react impulsively to national issues without careful reflection. He argued that Tinubu’s intervention was necessary to prevent a potentially violent escalation of the crisis.
Onanuga explained that had the President not declared a state of emergency, the state legislature would likely have proceeded with the impeachment of Governor Fubara, a move that could have resulted in bloodshed.
“Sometimes, Nigerians react to issues impulsively. This is not an insult but a reality in our country. Many people respond emotionally to events without taking the time to reflect on their implications,” Onanuga stated.
He emphasized the strategic importance of Rivers State to Nigeria, describing it as the “oxygen” of the nation due to its significant oil and gas resources. According to him, no responsible leader would allow the situation to deteriorate to the point of anarchy before taking action.
“Look at Rivers State—if President Bola Tinubu had not intervened, the situation might have worsened significantly. The House of Assembly had already indicated plans to impeach the governor, while Governor Fubara was preparing to present the budget amid mounting tensions. The state was on the brink of a full-blown crisis. If the impeachment had gone through, Rivers could have been engulfed in violence. On the same day the state of emergency was declared, there were already reports of attacks on oil pipelines.”
Onanuga further justified Tinubu’s decision, stressing that the move was a preventive measure rather than an outright dismissal of the state’s elected officials.
“Rivers State is home to our vital oil and gas resources—it plays a crucial role in sustaining Nigeria’s economy. That is why no leader would sit back and watch it descend into chaos. The President had to step in to prevent further turmoil. Nigerians should understand that this was a suspension, not a removal, and it was done in the best interest of the country,” he concluded.
The declaration of a state of emergency has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning its legality and necessity, while supporters argue that it was a strategic move to maintain stability in one of Nigeria’s most economically significant states.
