Historical Overview of State of Emergency in Nigeria  

Column, DNEWSINFO 

Nigeria has experienced several states of emergency since its independence in 1960, often triggered by political crises, security threats, and governance failures. Declaring a state of emergency is a constitutional provision under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President or a State Governor the authority to suspend normal governance and implement extraordinary measures to restore law and order. Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed multiple instances where this provision was invoked to address significant national and regional disruptions.

The first official declaration of a state of emergency in Nigeria occurred in 1962, following a severe political crisis in the Western Region. The Action Group (AG), a dominant political party in the region, was engulfed in internal disputes between its leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his deputy, Chief Samuel Akintola. The crisis led to violence in the Western Region House of Assembly, with lawmakers engaging in physical altercations. In response, the Federal Government, under Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, declared a state of emergency, suspending the regional government and appointing Dr. Moses Majekodunmi as the Sole Administrator. The emergency rule lasted for six months, after which a semblance of normalcy was restored.

Although there was no official state of emergency declaration, the military coups of 1966 led to a nationwide emergency-like situation. On January 15, 1966, a group of young military officers, led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, overthrew the civilian government, assassinating key political leaders, including Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and several regional premiers. The coup resulted in the suspension of democratic governance, with Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi assuming power. However, his regime was short-lived as a counter-coup occurred on July 29, 1966, led by northern military officers who installed General Yakubu Gowon as Head of State. The unrest that followed culminated in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), further plunging the country into an emergency-like state.

Another significant political crisis occurred in 1983 when the military, led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari. Although there was no official emergency declaration, the coup led to the suspension of the 1979 Constitution, the dissolution of the National Assembly, and a clampdown on political activities. The Buhari regime enforced strict governance policies, including the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), which bore the hallmarks of emergency rule. This period lasted until August 1985, when General Ibrahim Babangida staged another coup, ousting Buhari and initiating a prolonged military dictatorship.

In more recent history, the first state of emergency declared under Nigeria’s Fourth Republic was in 2004. President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed emergency rule in Plateau State following violent clashes between Christian and Muslim communities in Jos and Yelwa. Thousands of people were killed, and entire communities were displaced due to ethno-religious violence. In response, Obasanjo suspended the Plateau State government and appointed Major General Chris Alli (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator. The emergency rule lasted for six months before the return of civilian governance.

Two years later, in 2006, President Obasanjo declared another state of emergency in Ekiti State following a constitutional crisis. The impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose and his deputy over corruption allegations led to political instability and governance failure. To prevent further breakdown of law and order, Obasanjo suspended the state government and appointed General Tunji Olurin (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator. The emergency rule remained in place until democratic governance was restored in April 2007.

One of the most critical states of emergency in Nigeria’s history was declared in May 2013 by President Goodluck Jonathan. The growing threat of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa necessitated the emergency declaration. The terrorist group had seized control of several local government areas, attacking military bases, schools, and religious centers. The state of emergency facilitated increased military operations, curfews, and restrictions on movement to curb the insurgency. The emergency rule was extended twice but ended in 2015 when President Jonathan left office.

Beyond these formal declarations, Nigeria has witnessed several emergency-like situations in response to crises. In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Federal Government to impose lockdowns, movement restrictions, and emergency health protocols to contain the virus. Similarly, the EndSARS protests against police brutality in October 2020 prompted state governments, including Lagos and Abuja, to impose curfews, effectively restricting public gatherings. These measures, while not officially declared as a state of emergency, functioned similarly by temporarily suspending normal activities to address public threats.

In 2022, the Kano State Government declared a state of emergency on drug abuse, citing the rising number of youths involved in substance addiction. Although not a national emergency, it marked a unique instance where emergency measures were applied to tackle a social crisis. The government launched mass rehabilitation programs, imposed stricter drug enforcement laws, and initiated public awareness campaigns to combat the menace.

As Nigeria continues to navigate political, security, and socio-economic challenges, discussions about emergency measures remain relevant. In 2024, amid worsening inflation, fuel shortages, and rising insecurity, there were growing calls for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in critical sectors. However, no official declaration was made, as the government opted for policy interventions instead.

The most recent crisis leading to a near-state-of-emergency situation occurred in Rivers State in early 2025. The political conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly escalated to alarming levels, threatening governance and security in the state. The crisis stemmed from disagreements over executive authority, legislative autonomy, and alleged attempts to remove the governor from office. The rift led to violent protests, disruptions in government operations, and concerns over possible federal intervention. While the Federal Government has yet to officially declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, security forces have been deployed, and mediation efforts are ongoing to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order.

The history of state of emergency declarations in Nigeria reflects the country’s struggles with governance, security, and stability. While these measures have sometimes helped restore order, they have also raised concerns about constitutional overreach and the potential abuse of executive powers. As the nation moves forward, it is crucial for leaders to prioritize proactive governance, conflict resolution, and institutional reforms to minimize the need for emergency interventions.

By Taiwo Olatinwo| March 20, 2025