The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s legislative assembly for six months.
President Bola Tinubu made the announcement in response to the rising cases of pipeline vandalism and political instability plaguing the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The decision comes after reports of increased militant attacks on oil pipelines, including a major fire incident on the Trans Niger Pipeline.
During the announcement, President Tinubu criticized the suspended governor’s alleged inaction, stating, “With all these and many more, no good and responsible president will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the constitution to address the situation in the state.”
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Afolabi Babawale, confirmed to The PUNCH that anti-vandal operatives have been deployed to safeguard critical infrastructure across the country.
According to Babawale, the operatives have been specifically tasked with preventing pipeline vandalism, particularly in the volatile Niger Delta region.
“The NSCDC hereby warns against destruction and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure across the Niger Delta as over 10,000 operatives have been deployed to collaborate with other security agencies to provide adequate peace and security of lives and property,” Babawale said.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil, with factional disagreements within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) resulting in impeachment threats against Governor Fubara.
The embattled governor has been accused of presenting an illegal budget and making controversial legislative appointments, further destabilizing the state’s political environment.
Meanwhile, opposition parties and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have condemned the declaration of emergency rule, describing it as an unconstitutional move to undermine the state’s elected officials.
The Nigerian Bar Association has also voiced its concerns, arguing that imposing emergency rule should not dissolve or suspend elected state governments.
Despite the suspension of the executive and legislative arms, the judiciary in Rivers State remains functional. To oversee the state’s administration during the emergency period, President Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator.
