Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara following a pipeline explosion. The President cited a lack of action against vandalism and appointed former Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as caretaker for six months in an effort to stabilize governance amid ongoing political strife.
In a significant development, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This action follows an explosion along the Trans-Niger Pipeline, although the police have yet to identify the cause of the explosion. Speculation includes potential vandalism or sabotage by militant groups.
The President has expressed concern over what he described as “disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines” occurring without appropriate action from the governor. The issue of oil theft, a common occurrence in the region, has been exacerbated by both militant factions and local civilians attempting to exploit oil’s high market value.
President Tinubu has publicly criticized Governor Fubara for his inaction, stating, “No good and responsible president will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the constitution.” Consequently, the governor and several other elected officials, including state lawmakers, will be suspended for six months.
The state has faced a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, resulting in a paralysis of governance filled with impeachment attempts and efforts to dissolve the legislature. Tinubu emphasized the detrimental impact of this crisis on democratic governance, asserting, “With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance… can thrive.”
In light of these circumstances, former Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas will assume control as a caretaker to manage Rivers State’s affairs for the initial six-month period.
The Nigerian government has taken decisive action in Rivers State by suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declaring a state of emergency. This measure addresses the critical issue of pipeline vandalism and the ongoing governance crisis. The appointment of a caretaker, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, aims to restore order and facilitate effective governance amid this challenging situation.
Original Source: www.dw.com
