President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers due to a political crisis and rising pipeline vandalism. This represents Nigeria’s first emergency rule in over a decade, drawing criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association regarding its legality.
In a significant political development, Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Tinubu, has officially declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending its governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and several lawmakers amid an ongoing political crisis. This decision arises from escalating tensions related to pipeline vandalism, which threatens Nigeria’s status as Africa’s leading oil producer. The governor has faced accusations of legal infractions regarding the state budget and the legislative assembly’s composition, leading to an impeachment process initiated by lawmakers aligned with his predecessor.
President Tinubu announced the suspensions in a broadcast, emphasizing the governor’s failure to address the recent surge in pipeline vandalism, including a significant incident that resulted in a fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline. He articulated that no responsible leader could stand idle while such a critical situation deteriorates. According to him, remedial actions are constitutionally mandated to rectify these issues.
In accordance with the emergency declaration, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, a retired Navy chief, will serve as the military administrator of Rivers State, while judicial functions are expected to persist. Following the announcement, military trucks were promptly dispatched to the Governor’s House in Rivers State.
It is noteworthy that Nigeria’s constitution permits a state of emergency to be declared in exceptional circumstances for maintaining law and order. This is the first emergency of its kind in over a decade in a nation with a tumultuous history of military governance and political instability. The last similar declaration occurred in 2013 under former President Goodluck Jonathan amid the Boko Haram insurgency, though governors were not suspended then.
The Nigerian Bar Association has criticized the governor’s suspension, branding it illegal. Association president Afam Osigwe remarked, “A declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments,” highlighting concerns about the legality of these actions.
The recent declaration of emergency in Rivers State marks a critical juncture in Nigerian governance, highlighting the government’s response to political unrest and infrastructure challenges. The suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and various lawmakers reflects heightened tensions surrounding pipeline vandalism. As Nigeria navigates this emergency rule, the implications for democratic processes and state governance remain significant and warrant careful scrutiny.
Original Source: www.wral.com
