Nollywood veteran and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has alleged that President Bola Tinubu instigated the political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other state officials.
Okonkwo claims the emergency rule imposed on March 18, 2025, was a strategic move by Tinubu to “take over” Rivers State from the opposition party.
Okonkwo, speaking via social media, described the suspension as illegal and unconstitutional, noting that a state of emergency does not lawfully entail removing elected officials from office. He drew parallels with previous emergency declarations, such as during the Boko Haram crisis under President Goodluck Jonathan, where governors were not unseated.
He challenged Tinubu’s authority to reinstate Fubara, arguing that once a state of emergency expires naturally after six months — as prescribed under Nigerian law — the suspended officials are automatically eligible to resume their duties.
The Rivers crisis stemmed from a standoff between Fubara and the state legislature, including repeated budget rejections and impeachment attempts, as well as allegations of unapproved legislative compositions. Tinubu cited concerns over governance paralysis and pipeline vandalism when declaring the emergency, but critics say those justifications masked a power grab.
