Suspension of Fubara: Intelligence Verifies Militants Constructed Collapsing Pipelines Throughout Nigeria

The Presidency Responds to Critics

According to Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, militants were already targeting pipelines before Rivers State was placed under a state of emergency, posing a threat to oil production across the country.

Onanuga made this assertion in his article, Imagine Rivers State Without a State of Emergency, published on Sunday. He emphasized that intelligence reports confirmed that militant activities in the Niger Delta region had escalated, jeopardizing national economic security.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months after President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers State. The decision, which has sparked widespread reactions, was justified by the presidency as a necessary measure to safeguard national economic interests.

President Tinubu disclosed in a national broadcast on Tuesday that efforts to mediate the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State had failed. He explained that various factions ignored his personal interventions, making the state of emergency inevitable.

Read more on the latest political developments in Nigeria

Security Threats and Economic Risks

The president cited security intelligence indicating a surge in sabotage activities targeting oil pipelines. “According to the most recent security information I received, terrorists have been damaging pipelines between yesterday and today, and the governor has done nothing to stop them,” Tinubu stated. “Of course, I have given the security agencies strict orders to ensure the safety of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.”

Nigeria’s oil sector, which remains the backbone of the economy, has been vulnerable to militant disruptions. The government argues that the state of emergency in Rivers State was not only a political move but also a strategic economic intervention.

The Presidency Justifies Emergency Rule

Onanuga defended Tinubu’s decision, referencing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President authority to impose emergency rule when law, order, and economic security are at risk. He stated that the political standoff between Governor Fubara and the State Assembly could have worsened into violence, necessitating immediate intervention.

“The governor’s supporters may have attacked lawmakers in response to impeachment threats, and militants in the creeks may have sabotaged vital oil infrastructure, bringing Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 levels,” he explained.

He further claimed that intelligence reports suggested militants were awaiting directives from Governor Fubara before escalating attacks on pipelines. “Intelligence confirmed that militants were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect, after being instructed by Fubara to await signals,” Onanuga added.

Given Rivers State’s significance as a hub for oil production, Tinubu’s administration deemed the emergency rule necessary to prevent an economic crisis. Onanuga dismissed concerns that the move threatened democracy, arguing instead that the intervention was a temporary measure to restore order.

“The involvement in Rivers is short-term, surgical, and intended to reset and disarm conflicting political factions rather than replace democratic institutions,” he clarified.

Reactions to the Emergency Declaration

The state of emergency has triggered mixed reactions from political leaders, stakeholders, and citizens. While some view it as a crucial step toward stability, others fear it could set a dangerous precedent for democracy in Nigeria.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai condemned the emergency declaration. At a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, they, along with other opposition leaders, urged the National Assembly to reject the measure.

Opposition voices argue that the move undermines democracy and disproportionately targets a politically sensitive state. Critics also warn that using emergency powers to resolve political disputes could weaken democratic institutions.

However, supporters of the state of emergency believe it is a necessary action to prevent further instability in the Niger Delta. Some analysts argue that without intervention, tensions between political factions in Rivers State could escalate into violent confrontations, exacerbating security and economic challenges.

Fubara’s Response to the Accusations

Governor Fubara’s camp has strongly denied allegations linking him to militant activities. A senior aide to the governor described the claims as “false,” arguing that Fubara has consistently promoted peace and non-violence.

“The governor cannot telegraph attacks on oil pipelines while simultaneously advocating for non-violence and peace,” the aide stated.

Fubara’s administration has called for an independent investigation into the accusations, emphasizing that the state of emergency is politically motivated. His supporters insist that the suspension of elected officials undermines democracy and disenfranchises the people of Rivers State.

Implications for Nigeria’s Political and Economic Landscape

The declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State raises broader concerns about governance and political stability in Nigeria. The move has set a precedent for federal intervention in state affairs, prompting debates about the balance of power between the federal and state governments.

Economically, ensuring security in the Niger Delta is crucial for maintaining stable oil production levels. Nigeria, heavily dependent on oil revenue, cannot afford prolonged disruptions in its most vital sector. The presidency argues that securing the oil sector justifies the temporary suspension of democratic structures in Rivers State.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the National Assembly, which has the power to either approve or reject the state of emergency. The coming weeks will determine whether Tinubu’s administration can successfully navigate the political and economic fallout of this controversial decision.

For now, Nigeria remains at a crossroads, with the government balancing national security concerns against democratic principles. Stay updated with breaking news in Nigeria. TheNigerian News will continue to monitor developments in Rivers State as the crisis evolves.