President Bola Tinubu is facing backlash on X following his decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.
Tinubu announced during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening that the suspension would last for six months, during which time Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) would be appointed Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Tinubu’s decision comes amid an increasing political dispute in the state involving Governor Fubara against his predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and pro-Wike lawmakers.
He stated; “I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
“On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgement in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of the rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case, the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
Hours after President Tinubu’s announcement, the hashtag and phrase “Terrible President” began trending on X, with users, activists, and legal experts vehemently condemning the decision labelling it as unconstitutional, authoritarian, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy,.
Just imagine terrible President Bola Tinubu’s excuses.
However, one thing is certain, this tyrannical state of emergency will definitely backfire against these terrible individuals, Bola Tinubu and his ally Wike, They’ll both fail woefully.
This oppressive govt will never stand. pic.twitter.com/ZF1dnfwMpU
— Nnachi (@Godswillluv) March 18, 2025
We don’t have democracy in this country. We have agberocracy. We are being led by thugs.
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) March 18, 2025
I saw all this coming ,
Tinubu is a terrible president. You couldn’t talk before the crisis started, nor call wike to order , which I know you were aware, only to reach this stage, it is really a shame , guess all those fool who supported Tinubu are happy now pic.twitter.com/SkAkpVnIkW
— Shuga Baddies 😋 (@GucciGaga5) March 18, 2025
The law is made for man ans not man for the law.
The girl didn’t insult Tinubu, she made a very true statement that many Nigerians are saying everyday.
Tinubu is a terrible president is a fact.
The economy under Tinubu is suffocating is a fact
Lagos is smelly is a fact. https://t.co/vFAgzmCSG4 pic.twitter.com/GY2kvr8NSm
— Afro Celebrity Stories (@afrocelebstory) March 18, 2025
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
Tinubu is a terrible president.
— lucky@3 (@3_chukx) March 18, 2025
State of Emergency over someone personal interest and somewhere in the North & part of south east that are experiencing daily attacks by Herdsmen-massacre are not touched mmmm.what a terrible situation, from a terrible president,to a terrible country.
— Ndendi Johnson (@kingndendi) March 18, 2025
Tinubu is not a terrible president. What is terrible is the system that allowed a man to become the president of the most populous black nation by just crying: it is my turn.
— Mr Amaru (@amaru_mr) March 18, 2025
Meningitis broke out in Kebbi state yet the governor is quiet, presidency ain’t saying anything instead the terrible president went ahead to suspend a sitting governor without HOA approval 🚨
— FEZAGroups (@FEZAfashion) March 18, 2025
