Governor Siminalayi Fubara has vacated Rivers State Government House after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending him, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months. Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) was appointed as sole administrator, sparking mixed reactions nationwide.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has vacated the Government House in Port Harcourt along with his family and security details following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

Reports indicate that Fubara departed the official residence on Wednesday morning, just a day after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced his suspension, along with that of his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, for an initial period of six months.

During a national broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu defended the suspension, stating:
"By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months."

As part of the emergency measures, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State until normalcy is restored.

The declaration of emergency rule has elicited mixed reactions across the country. While some Nigerians view it as a necessary intervention to restore stability, others criticize it as an excessive use of executive power.