Governance in Nigeria has not been without some hiccups since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Three presidents—Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Bola Tinubu—have declared a state of emergency in various states.
The first was on May 18, 2004, when Obasanjo imposed emergency rule in Plateau State due to violent religious conflicts. In 2011, Jonathan declared a state of emergency in parts of Borno and Plateau, followed by a nationwide emergency in the northeast in 2013.
Most recently, yesterday, March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to a political crisis, suspending the state governor and other officials, while appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as administrator. The presidents in the various occasions have believed that hese measures are aimed at restoring public order and safety.
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