- President Tinubu suspends Rivers State's governor
- The move follows disturbing reports of pipeline vandalism by militants
- federal takeover and new leadership for 6 months
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and all members of the state legislature due to escalating security issues and governance failures.
In a televised address, President Tinubu revealed that he had received alarming security reports over the past two days, outlining disturbing instances of pipeline vandalism by militants that the state government had not addressed.
“No responsible president would allow such a serious situation to persist without taking action,” he remarked, emphasizing that constitutional measures were required to address the crisis.
This declaration follows an investigation by the police into an explosion in Rivers State that caused a fire along Nigeria’s Trans Niger Pipeline, a crucial oil conduit connecting onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal.
Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta, plays a key role in Nigeria’s oil production, and militant groups have historically targeted pipelines, disrupting both production and exports.
Beyond security issues, the state has also faced a political crisis, with factions within the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in conflict, and lawmakers threatening to impeach both the governor and his deputy.
With the state of emergency now in effect, the federal government assumes control over the state, with authority to implement necessary regulations and deploy security forces as needed to restore stability.
To manage the state’s affairs, President Tinubu has appointed a retired vice admiral as a caretaker for an initial six-month term.
The president also confirmed that a copy of the declaration has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval, but clarified that the judiciary would remain unaffected and continue to operate in accordance with the constitution.
This unprecedented step underscores the gravity of the situation in Rivers State and reflects the federal government’s commitment to restoring order amidst growing security and political challenges.
