The Nigerian government has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers amid escalating security concerns and political tensions.
In a televised address on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu cited security reports of pipeline vandalism by militants and the governor’s alleged inaction in addressing the crisis. The declaration allows the federal government to assume control of the state’s administration and deploy security forces as needed.
The decision follows a pipeline explosion along the Trans Niger Pipeline, a key crude oil export route. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast, which has disrupted oil production in the Niger Delta.
Rivers State has also been engulfed in a political crisis, with rival factions within the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) clashing over governance issues. State lawmakers had threatened to impeach the governor and his deputy before the emergency declaration.
President Tinubu has appointed a retired vice admiral as a caretaker administrator to oversee the state for an initial six-month period.
A proclamation has been sent to the National Assembly, which will decide whether to approve or reject the move.