Embattled Governor Steps Down as Nigeria Declares Emergency in Oil-Rich Rivers State
A protracted political dispute in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers state prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday. This move led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with state lawmakers, over issues related to budgetary malpractices and the composition of the legislative assembly.
In a nationwide address, President Tinubu justified the six-month suspension of state officials, criticizing the governor for inaction against recent acts of pipeline vandalism. Notably, a pipeline explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline had occurred within the last 24 hours.
“To ensure security and order, resolute measures are needed, and suspended officials will be replaced by a military administrator,” the president stated.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, a former Nigerian navy chief, will now serve as the military administrator of Rivers state, while the judiciary remains operational. The swift deployment of military vehicles to the Government House in Rivers State followed the public announcement.
Such an emergency decree, which is a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s more than a decade of post-military rule democracy, has raised concerns regarding the constitutionality of suspending an elected government. The Nigerian Bar Association has voiced opposition, stating that the emergency declaration does not automatically invalidate or suspend state administrations.
The last emergency rule enacted in Nigeria was in 2013 during the Boko Haram uprising in the northeast, but this did not involve suspending governors as is the case now.
A protracted political dispute in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers state prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday. This move led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with state lawmakers, over issues related to budgetary malpractices and the composition of the legislative assembly.
In a nationwide address, President Tinubu justified the six-month suspension of state officials, criticizing the governor for inaction against recent acts of pipeline vandalism. Notably, a pipeline explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline had occurred within the last 24 hours.
“To ensure security and order, resolute measures are needed, and suspended officials will be replaced by a military administrator,” the president stated.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, a former Nigerian navy chief, will now serve as the military administrator of Rivers state, while the judiciary remains operational. The swift deployment of military vehicles to the Government House in Rivers State followed the public announcement.
Such an emergency decree, which is a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s more than a decade of post-military rule democracy, has raised concerns regarding the constitutionality of suspending an elected government. The Nigerian Bar Association has voiced opposition, stating that the emergency declaration does not automatically invalidate or suspend state administrations.
The last emergency rule enacted in Nigeria was in 2013 during the Boko Haram uprising in the northeast, but this did not involve suspending governors as is the case now.
