President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as the political deadlock in the state persists.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu justified the decision by pointing to the prolonged crisis and its impact on governance. He noted that despite multiple interventions, including his own, the situation had not improved.
“I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance. Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did, but their efforts have been to no avail,” Tinubu stated.
He further emphasized that allowing the crisis to continue without action would be irresponsible. “To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency. By this declaration, Governor Fubara is hereby suspended,” the president announced.
The declaration comes amid rising tensions in the state, exacerbated by fresh explosions at an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. On the same day, the Trans-Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), also went up in flames, adding to security concerns in the region.
