Nigeria is grappling with a deepening political crisis after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months.
In a nationwide address on Tuesday evening, Tinubu justified the decision by citing "disturbing security reports detailing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them." He emphasized that he could not allow the "grave situation" to persist.
The declaration follows a blast on the Trans-Niger Pipeline, one of Nigeria’s most critical crude oil pipelines, which significantly disrupted operations. Attacks on oil infrastructure, often carried out by criminal gangs or militants, have historically led to major production and export losses. According to Africa Report, the affected pipeline transports oil worth approximately $14 million (£11 million) per day at current prices.
However, the political tensions in Rivers State have also been intensifying. Governor Fubara belongs to the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), which has been struggling with internal divisions. At the national level, the PDP remains the primary opposition to Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu argued that political leaders in Rivers had failed to work together, stating that some of Fubara’s allies had threatened "fire and brimstone" against their rivals and had not "disowned" such remarks. Rivers lawmakers, according to Reuters, had been moving towards impeaching the governor and his deputy. Tinubu maintained that the political deadlock had brought Rivers State to a "standstill" and that his intervention was necessary to restore peace and order.
In response, Fubara downplayed the crisis, stating that while there have been "political disagreements, good governance has continued." He insisted that "Rivers State is safe, secure, and peaceful under our watch."
Despite Tinubu’s justification, legal experts and opposition figures have strongly criticized the move. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) declared the suspension of elected officials "unconstitutional," while the PDP condemned it as an attempt at "state capture," accusing Tinubu of orchestrating "a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State."
Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, also weighed in, calling the decision "reckless" in a post on X.
The state of emergency gives the federal government control over Rivers State and allows security forces to be deployed if necessary. This is not the first time such a measure has been taken in Nigeria—past administrations have resorted to emergency rule in attempts to curb insurgencies and instability. However, Tinubu’s latest move has ignited a fierce national debate over executive power and democratic governance.