Nigerian actress Hilda Dokubo has voiced her outrage over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend the governor of Rivers State and declare a state of emergency.

Taking to Instagram on March 18, 2025, Dokubo criticized the move, calling it a deliberate attempt to “capture the economic soul of Rivers State.”

Expressing her frustration, she wrote:

“State of emergency because for two years we have had peace! State of emergency because you want to capture the economic soul of Rivers State! State of emergency because of one man? Shameless! Perhaps Mr. President should say he wants to annex Rivers State!”

Her reaction comes after Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast earlier that evening, announced the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, President Tinubu justified his decision, stating that it was necessary to restore order and prevent further escalation of the crisis.

“We cannot afford to let political instability threaten the peace and governance of Rivers State,” he declared.

President Tinubu’s decision was met with widespread disapproval from Nigerians, both in Rivers State and beyond, with many calling the action unconstitutional.

See reactions below:

• “The state of emergency was way too much. He could have called Fubara and Wike. He reversed democratic and legal decisions of lawmakers in Lagos to reinstate an impeached speaker without declaring a state of emergency. So why such an act in Rivers State? Politics in Nigeria is just somehow.”
• “This is one of the reasons why we support the corps member’s assertion. A terrible government.”
• “As expected of his regime, I’m not surprised by any of this. It is unconstitutional and illegal to suspend a democratically elected governor. Of all the states of emergency declared in Nigeria, where has a governor ever been suspended? If there is an issue of insecurity, isn’t it the president’s responsibility to restore order? How does suspending the governor bring peace? It is sad that this is happening in 2025 and in a democracy. We expect the Senate to correct this anomaly and blunder by the president.”

Popular Nigerian skitmaker Oluwadolarz has broken his silence following allegations from his ex-fiancée, Ifeluv, accusing him of infidelity and financial irresponsibility in their relationship.

In a now-deleted statement shared on his Instagram stories on March 18, 2025, Oluwadolarz expressed gratitude to his colleagues and supporters while addressing the accusations against him. He admitted that the situation did not unfold as he had hoped but felt the need to speak out, particularly for the sake of his son.

“The way it happened was never the way I wanted it to happen, but it happened anyway. I want to state here that I am coming out to say all these because my son will eventually grow up, and as we all know, the internet never forgets,” he wrote.

Oluwadolarz also responded to the allegations involving a female skitmaker named Lola, whom Ifeluv allegedly caught him with.

Addressing the claims, he wrote:

“As for the recent accusations involving Lola, this feels like the opportunity she’s been waiting for. Lola has been coming to my studio apartment since last year. She has asked me several times to help her with invitations to her shoots, and now I’m wondering how this same Lola suddenly became a problem. And how does simply seeing her in a guest restroom become an issue?”

Oluwadolarz further stated that the situation seemed to be about creating a narrative and garnering sympathy to tarnish his reputation.

“It’s becoming clear that this is about creating a narrative and playing the pity card to damage my reputation. But if standing my ground and defending myself makes me a manipulator and a narcissist in some people’s eyes, so be it,” he wrote.

He also claimed that if speaking out meant he would no longer be allowed access to their son, he was prepared to accept that outcome.

The controversy between Oluwadolarz and Ifeluv has sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans and followers taking sides. Ifeluv had previously accused him of repeated infidelity and financial irresponsibility, alleging that she had been the primary provider in their relationship.

However, his recent statement has been met with criticism from many social media users.

Nigerian rapper and actor Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has stated that no law in Nigeria grants the president the power to suspend a governor.

The 34-year-old lawyer made this assertion on Tuesday following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of a six-month suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.

“Rivers State, there is ABSOLUTELY NO LAW that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment,” Falz wrote on X (formerly Twitter), sharing screenshots of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a president can declare a state of emergency.

The rapper also challenged the legality of Tinubu’s decision, arguing that Rivers State does not meet any of the constitutional criteria for such an action.

Falz further questioned the legitimacy of President Tinubu’s action, referencing the constitutional conditions required for declaring a state of emergency.

“Is Rivers State at war? Is there an ‘actual breakdown of public order’? Is there a threat to the existence of the federation?” he asked, citing the provisions under Section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the section, a president can only declare a state of emergency under specific circumstances, including:

• (a) The Federation is at war;
• (b) The Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war;
• (c) There is an actual breakdown of public order and safety in the Federation or any part thereof, requiring extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;
• (d) There is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and safety requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger;
• (e) There is an occurrence or imminent danger of disaster or natural calamity affecting a community or section of the Federation;
• (f) There is any other public danger that clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation;
• (g) The President receives a request to do so in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.

By sharing these constitutional provisions, Falz underscored his argument that Rivers State does not meet the legal requirements for such an intervention.