Nigeria Declares State of Emergency in Rivers, Suspends Governor

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers for six months. This decision follows an explosion on the Trans-Niger Pipeline, which Tinubu attributes to ongoing vandalism by militants and a political crisis in the state. Critics, including Senator Seriake Dickson, are questioning the legality of the suspension, arguing it undermines democratic governance as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution. Tinubu stated that the state has been at a standstill due to political infighting, particularly between Fubara and his predecessor, and emphasized the need for immediate action to restore peace and governance. The emergency declaration marks the first of its kind in Nigeria since 2013, amid a backdrop of escalating violence and oil theft in the region. Legal experts contend that the president's power to suspend elected officials is not supported by constitutional provisions.