President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the prolonged political crisis and governance paralysis.

In a nationwide emergency broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu expressed deep concern over the situation.

He said: “I feel greatly disturbed by the political crisis in Rivers. The state has been at a standstill, and the people have been deprived of good governance.

“Fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remains unbuilt. Many Nigerians have intervened, just as I did. But their efforts have been to no avail.

“No responsible President will stand by without taking action.

To restore good governance and peace in this circumstance, it has become imperative to declare a state of emergency.

“By this declaration, Governor Fubara is hereby suspended,” he said. (Vanguard).

What is a state of emergency?

A state of emergency is a situation where a government temporarily assumes extraordinary powers to manage a crisis, ensuring the safety and protection of its citizens.

This can be declared during natural disasters, civil unrest, armed conflicts, medical pandemics, or other biosecurity risks.

In such situations, certain rights and freedoms may be suspended, depending on the severity of the emergency and the government’s policies.

The specific provisions and regulations vary across countries, but the primary goal is to maintain public order, stability, and security.

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the explosion that rocked the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC,-operated Trans Niger Delta Pipeline.

The incident occurred from Monday night through to Tuesday morning at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that a “thorough investigation to determine the cause” of the explosion, which resulted in an inferno, has commenced.

The PPRO confirmed that “two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage.”

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are identified and brought to justice.

“We urge residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them of our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

The Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain peace and security for all.

“For any useful information regarding this incident or any suspicious activities, members of the public are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or call these lines,” the statement added.

An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The explosion occurred late Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road, which is currently under construction.

The affected section of the major pipeline is still on fire, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.

It is unclear whether the incident resulted from human interference, especially amid recent threats by militant groups to attack oil installations.

These threats stem from the Federal Government’s withholding of Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis.

The TNP, a critical federal oil transport line, supplies crude oil to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State.

The explosion has raised concerns about potential environmental damage and disruptions to oil supply in the region.

Government authorities have not yet issued any statements regarding the incident.