Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, suspending the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all lawmakers for six months. This decision was made in response to security reports of pipeline vandalism by militants, which the governor allegedly failed to address.
According to Tinubu, the state of emergency is necessary to restore good governance, peace, and order in Rivers State, which has been embroiled in a political crisis and pipeline vandalism. The state, located in the Niger Delta, is a significant source of crude oil, but militants have repeatedly blown up pipelines, disrupting production and exports.
The state of emergency grants the federal government the power to make regulations to run the state and deploy security forces to maintain order. Tinubu has nominated a retired vice admiral as caretaker to oversee the state's affairs for the initial six-month period.
It's worth noting that the president's declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which will continue to function according to its constitutional mandate. The National Assembly has the power to endorse or reject Tinubu's decision.
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