Nigeria declares state of emergency in oil-rich Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Nigeria’s oil-producing Rivers State, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and all state lawmakers amid escalating security concerns and political upheaval. The dramatic intervention follows reports of militant attacks on critical oil infrastructure in the strategically vital region.
In a televised national address, Tinubu cited “disturbing incidents of pipeline vandalization by militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them” as justification for the extraordinary measure. “No good and responsible president will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the constitution,” he declared.
Police had earlier launched an investigation into an explosion that caused a major fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline, a crucial artery transporting crude oil from onshore fields to the Bonny export terminal. Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta region, has historically been vulnerable to militant activity targeting oil infrastructure, significantly impacting national production and export capabilities.
The state has simultaneously been gripped by an intense political crisis, with factional fighting within the opposition People’s Democratic Party and threats by state legislators to impeach both the governor and deputy governor. This volatile combination of security threats and political instability prompted the federal intervention.
The presidential declaration enables the national government to implement direct administrative control and deploy security forces as needed to restore order. Tinubu has appointed a retired vice admiral as caretaker administrator for an initial six-month period.
The proclamation has been submitted to the National Assembly for constitutional review and potential ratification. Tinubu emphasized that the judicial branch in Rivers State would continue functioning normally, maintaining its constitutional mandate despite the emergency measures affecting the executive and legislative branches.