Nigeria is grappling with a deepening political crisis after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a key oil-producing region, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state legislature for six months. The president cited security concerns following recent attacks on pipelines, but the move has sparked intense debate over its legality and political implications.
Tinubu made the announcement on Tuesday in a nationwide address, stating that militants had vandalized the Trans-Niger Pipeline, one of the country’s most significant crude oil conduits, without any intervention from the state government. The attack, which severely disrupted oil production and exports, comes at a time when Nigeria relies heavily on oil revenues, with the damaged pipeline carrying oil worth an estimated $14 million daily.
While Tinubu framed the decision as a necessary step to restore order, critics argue that the move is politically motivated. Rivers State, a stronghold of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has been embroiled in internal party conflicts. The PDP has accused Tinubu, who leads the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), of attempting to take control of the state under the guise of security concerns.
Political tensions in Rivers have been escalating, with state lawmakers threatening to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy. Tinubu justified his intervention by citing instability that had left the state “at a standstill,” alleging that Fubara’s allies had made incendiary threats against political opponents. However, the governor responded by asserting that Rivers remains “safe, secure, and peaceful” under his administration, downplaying the crisis.
The state of emergency allows the federal government to administer the state directly and deploy security forces if deemed necessary. However, legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have condemned the action as unconstitutional, arguing that an elected governor and legislature cannot be removed by presidential decree. The PDP has also labeled the measure as an attempt at “state capture” and an assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party denounced the declaration as “reckless” on social media, while civil society groups warn of the precedent this sets for Nigeria’s democratic governance.
The move marks the latest in a series of emergency declarations in Nigeria’s history, previously used to combat insurgencies and instability. However, with political and legal opposition mounting, Tinubu’s decision is likely to face significant challenges in the coming months.
