President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating political instability and security concerns. In a decisive move aimed at restoring order, he also announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu alongside all members of the state legislature. The action follows months of deepening political tensions and violent clashes between rival factions within the state government, raising fears of a broader breakdown in governance. The President appointed Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Administrator of Rivers State.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State comes in the wake of a major security breach involving the destruction of a key oil pipeline in the state. The explosion of a crude oil export pipeline in Rumuekpe, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State added a new layer of tension to the already volatile political atmosphere in the state. While the exact cause of the blast remains unknown, the timing has raised concerns about a possible link to the ongoing political crisis triggered by the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The incident occurred just hours after pro-Wike lawmakers served Governor Fubara and his deputy a notice of alleged gross misconduct, and barely a week after the Ijaw National Congress threatened to shut down crude oil operations in the Niger Delta should Fubara be impeached. Though no direct connection has been confirmed, the blast underscores the fragility of both political and economic stability in the region.
The political crisis in Rivers State is rooted in a bitter power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Initially handpicked by Wike to succeed him, Fubara soon began asserting his independence, leading to a dramatic fallout between the two. Tensions escalated in late 2023 when the Rivers State House of Assembly, widely seen as loyal to Wike, launched impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. In response, a section of the Assembly complex was set on fire, and a factional split emerged among lawmakers. Despite several interventions, including one brokered by President Tinubu in December 2023, the conflict persisted, paralysing governance in the state. The crisis has not only deepened political divisions but has also undermined security and public administration, culminating in the President’s decision to declare a state of emergency.
Heightened Risk to Oil Infrastructure as Political Crisis Deepens in Rivers State
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has far-reaching implications for the security of oil infrastructure, particularly pipelines and export terminals that are critical to Nigeria’s economy. The explosion of a crude oil export pipeline in Rumuekpe, occurring amid political unrest and shortly after threats from regional groups like the Ijaw National Congress, highlights how political instability can embolden non-state actors and escalate sabotage risks. Rivers State, a major hub of Nigeria’s oil production and export, now faces heightened vulnerability to attacks on infrastructure, either as acts of political protest, criminal enterprise, or ethnic agitation. With the paralysis of local governance and security apparatus due to the political crisis, militant groups, oil thieves, and disgruntled factions may find more opportunities to operate with impunity. The appointment of Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Administrator signals an intent to reassert federal control, but the militarisation of governance may also inflame local tensions if not carefully managed. Overall, the crisis threatens to disrupt oil production and export schedules, jeopardise investor confidence, and worsen revenue shortfalls for the federal government already grappling with fiscal pressures.
