The Federal Government deployed 10,000 NSCDC personnel to protect oil pipelines in Rivers State amid rising tensions. President Tinubu declared emergency rule, suspending Governor Fubara and appointing a sole administrator. Lawmakers and labor unions condemned the move, sparking political and legal battles over the state's governance.
The Federal Government has deployed 10,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel to protect oil pipelines in Rivers State following recent explosions at oil installations. The NSCDC confirmed that operatives had been sent to the Niger Delta to prevent further attacks on critical infrastructure. Officials warned against acts of vandalism, emphasizing that security forces were on high alert to safeguard national assets.
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers and labor unions have condemned the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a national address, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state assembly members. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) was appointed as the state's sole administrator and sworn in at the Aso Villa, where he pledged to restore order. His administration is set to last six months, though tensions in the state remain high.
Political unrest had intensified before the emergency rule declaration, with threats from Ijaw groups to disrupt oil production in response to attempts to impeach the governor. Explosions rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Aluu, leaving a suspect dead at the scene. Another individual was later arrested after an investigation by a security firm linked to pipeline operations.
As the situation unfolded, Governor Fubara vacated the Government House, though his whereabouts remained uncertain. Additional soldiers were seen entering the premises, fueling speculation that they were preparing for the sole administrator’s arrival. Security was heightened, with access to the building strictly controlled.
At the federal level, the National Assembly prepared to debate the legality of the emergency rule. Tensions rose within the House of Representatives, where lawmakers clashed over the suspension of the state's democratic structures. The reading of the President’s letter on the matter was delayed, leaving the chamber divided. Some legislators engaged in heated exchanges, while others privately discussed the unfolding crisis.
In Abuja, Tinubu swore in Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as Rivers State's administrator. He acknowledged the political turmoil and vowed to prioritize stability, emphasizing that law and order must be restored before governance could proceed.
Criticism of the President’s decision grew, with opposition parties and labor leaders denouncing it as unconstitutional. The Peoples Democratic Party insisted that Fubara remained the legitimate governor and accused Tinubu of undermining democracy. Legal experts and political analysts pointed to constitutional provisions that did not grant the President the authority to suspend an elected governor. Calls for the National Assembly to intervene grew louder as lawmakers debated whether to endorse or reject the emergency rule.
Supporters of Fubara accused the federal government of targeting him while ignoring the role of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in escalating tensions. Critics claimed that Wike's actions had contributed to the crisis but had not been addressed in the President’s speech.
Former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson labeled the move a power grab and vowed to rally opposition against it. He and other lawmakers warned that they would work to prevent the National Assembly from legitimizing the President’s action. As the crisis deepens, the future of governance in Rivers State remains uncertain, with political and legal battles looming.
