The Presidency has explained that security intelligence reports prompted the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.
According to the government, militants were already targeting oil pipelines, posing a serious risk to national security and the economy.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, shared this in an article titled “Imagine Rivers State Without a State of Emergency,” published on Sunday. He said intelligence reports revealed a worsening crisis in the oil-rich state.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Tuesday, stated that his attempts to resolve the political conflict in Rivers had been ignored. He explained that the growing security concerns led to the declaration of a state of emergency.
“The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militants, without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course, given stern orders to the security agencies to ensure the safety of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines,” Tinubu said while announcing the emergency rule.
The decision has faced criticism from various groups, with some questioning its necessity. However, the Presidency has defended the move, insisting that it was based on credible intelligence.
Onanuga pointed out that Section 305 of the Constitution allows the President to act when there is a threat to law, order, or economic security.
“Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks—primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure—could have plunged Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 lows,” he stated.
He further claimed that militants were waiting for instructions from Fubara before launching attacks on pipelines.
“Intelligence confirmed that militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect,” Onanuga added.
He emphasized that Tinubu’s intervention was necessary since Rivers State is a key player in Nigeria’s oil sector. He warned that any disruption in the region could have severe economic consequences.
Onanuga dismissed concerns that the emergency rule undermines democracy, describing it as a “temporary, surgical” measure aimed at restoring order rather than dismantling democratic institutions.
