Emergency Rule Declared in Rivers State as Governor and Lawmakers Suspended

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers state, suspending governor Siminalayi Fubara and local lawmakers due to ongoing political turmoil and pipeline vandalism. The constitutional measure allows military oversight with retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas appointed as military administrator. Legal challenges regarding the suspensions have been raised by the Nigerian Bar Association, citing legality issues.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers state, suspending the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, along with the state lawmakers due to ongoing political instability and acts of vandalism impacting critical oil infrastructure. This dramatic move follows months of tension between the governor and legislators, many of whom are influenced by Fubara’s predecessor, as accusations of illegal activities regarding the state budget arise.

The emergency declaration, which marks the first of its kind in over a decade, allows oversight by military authorities to address rampant pipeline vandalism, a pressing issue given Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer. President Tinubu highlighted that the governor failed to manage recent incidents, including a recent blast on the Trans Niger Pipeline, thus necessitating this response to preserve state and national interests.

As part of the declared emergency, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas will assume the role of military administrator for Rivers state, ensuring that judicial processes remain intact despite the upheaval. Following the president’s announcement, military forces were deployed to the government premises in Rivers to enforce compliance and restore order.

The Nigerian Constitution permits such emergency rule in extraordinary situations. However, the Nigerian Bar Association has expressed concerns regarding the legality of suspending elected officials, remarking that a declaration of emergency does not inherently nullify the governance of elected state bodies.

Historically, the last emergency rule in Nigeria occurred in 2013 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, focusing on security issues in northeastern states – notably, without the suspension of governors at that time.

In summary, President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of an emergency in Rivers state reflects a significant intervention to manage escalating political and infrastructural crises. By suspending the governor and legislative members, the government aims to restore order in a critical oil-producing region. Nonetheless, legal challenges to this decision by the Nigerian Bar Association underline the complexities surrounding governance and constitutional authority in Nigeria.

Original Source: www.wral.com