Fubara, Family Held Hostage In Government House Following State Of Emergency Declaration

Fubara, Family Held Hostage In Government House Following State Of Emergency Declaration

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family have been reportedly held hostage at the Government House in Port Harcourt by heavily armed soldiers. This comes after President Bola Tinubu invoked Section 180 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State on the night of March 18, 2025………..READ MORE

The situation is linked to an escalating political crisis in the state, with state lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike initiating impeachment proceedings against Fubara. Despite being Wike’s chosen successor in the 2023 elections, Fubara has found himself at odds with Wike, leading to the current political tension.

Sources close to the Rivers government revealed that soldiers, acting under presidential orders, surrounded the Government House, blocking all entrances and exits. Attempts by Fubara and his family to leave the premises and gather their belongings were reportedly blocked by the soldiers, who stated they had not received instructions to allow anyone to leave.

The decision to declare a state of emergency has raised significant legal and constitutional questions, especially since the impeachment process against Fubara had not been completed at the time of the declaration. The President’s decision has sparked heated debates online, with critics questioning his constitutional authority to suspend an elected governor.

Following the declaration, President Tinubu appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the interim military administrator for Rivers State. This move, alongside the suspension of Governor Fubara and other state officials for six months, has added to the controversy and political unrest in the state.