Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor and lawmakers over political turmoil and pipeline vandalism, sparking controversy and opposition.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a key oil-producing region, and suspended its governor and lawmakers amid a political crisis and recent pipeline vandalism.

Rivers State is one of Nigeria’s top oil-producing regions, playing a crucial role in maintaining the country’s status as Africa’s largest oil producer. The political turmoil in the state has been simmering for months, fueled by a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature.

This week, lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of illegal actions related to the state budget and the composition of the legislative chamber. Many of these lawmakers are aligned with Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, who currently serves as a powerful minister in Tinubu’s administration.

President Tinubu, in a national broadcast on Tuesday evening, announced the suspension of the governor and all elected officials in the state for six months. He criticized Governor Fubara for failing to take decisive action against recent incidents of pipeline vandalism, including a reported explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline within the past 24 hours.

“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,” Tinubu declared.

Under the emergency measures, the federal government is granted the authority to govern the state, deploy security forces as needed, and restore order. To oversee the administration of the state during this period, Tinubu has appointed former Nigerian Navy chief, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired), as the administrator of Rivers State. The judiciary, however, will continue to function as usual.

Following the announcement, military trucks were swiftly deployed to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to maintaining order.

Nigeria’s constitution allows for the declaration of a state of emergency under exceptional circumstances to maintain law and order. However, this move has sparked significant opposition.

Before the emergency declaration, Rivers State was governed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party. The PDP has condemned Tinubu’s action as unconstitutional, accusing his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to forcefully seize control of the state.

The Nigerian Bar Association has also voiced strong opposition, arguing that suspending elected officials is unlawful. “A declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments,” said Afam Osigwe, the association’s president, in a statement.

This is not the first time a Nigerian president has declared a state of emergency and suspended a state governor since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule. In 2004, former President Olusegun Obasanjo took similar action in Plateau State during a period of intense ethnic and religious conflict. In 2006, he also declared an emergency in Ekiti State due to a political crisis.

In 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. However, in that instance, the governors were not suspended.

In each case, these decisions have been met with significant controversy, and Tinubu’s latest move is likely to fuel further political and legal debates in Nigeria.