Governor Fubara And Family Trapped In Rivers Government House As Soldiers Seal Off Premises

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Tensions have escalated in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family remain trapped inside the Rivers State Government House following a military blockade on Tuesday night.

Heavily armed soldiers reportedly took control of the premises shortly after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state. The move, which suspends Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, has sparked widespread controversy and legal debate.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that military personnel, backed by armored vehicles, sealed off all entry and exit points of the Government House, preventing movement in and out of the premises. Attempts by the governor and his family to relocate their belongings were blocked by the soldiers, enforcing a strict lockdown.

This development comes amid a prolonged political crisis between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The conflict intensified when lawmakers attempted to impeach Fubara, leading to violent clashes and heightened insecurity in the state.

Citing constitutional breaches and escalating tensions, President Tinubu announced the state of emergency, arguing that decisive action was necessary to restore stability. However, legal experts and civil society groups have condemned the decision, calling it unconstitutional.

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has argued that a state of emergency does not automatically dissolve an elected government, warning that Tinubu’s action could set a dangerous precedent for democracy.

In line with the emergency directive, retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has been appointed as the interim military administrator of Rivers State. His mandate includes restoring order and managing state affairs until the suspension period expires.

The suspension of Governor Fubara has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Critics have questioned why the president’s directive only affected Fubara while Wike, a key figure in the political crisis, was not sanctioned.

Political analysts argue that Tinubu’s intervention may worsen tensions rather than resolve them, as many Rivers residents have taken to the streets in protest.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s team has remained silent on their next course of action, but sources indicate that legal challenges against the federal government’s decision are already underway.

With the military in control of Rivers State, uncertainty looms over the state’s political and economic future. As pressure mounts on President Tinubu to reconsider his actions, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the courts will intervene in what many believe is a constitutional crisis in the making.