In response to recent explosions in Rivers State, the Federal Government of Nigeria has sent 10,000 members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to stop additional attacks on oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. The NSCDC stressed its responsibility to protect vital national Infrastructure and work with other security organisations to prevent economic sabotage. Political tensions around the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara were linked to the explosions, which took place between Sunday and Tuesday. President Bola Tinubu responded to the crisis by imposing a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
He suspended the state assembly, Governor Fubara, and his deputy. For a period of six months, he designated retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the only administrator. Opposition parliamentarians, labour unions, and Civil Society organisations protested this action, denouncing it as unconstitutional and a breach of democratic governance. Ibas promised to bring Peace and security back to the state when he was sworn in. The PDP and other opposition parties countered that Tinubu’s conduct was an attempt to take over Rivers State and was therefore unlawful.
Three pipeline explosions in key oil installations took place in March.
The action was also criticised by political leaders, civil rights groups, and labour unions, who warned that it threatened Nigeria’s democratic system. In support of the President’s decision, the Attorney-General of the Federation pointed to Fubara’s constitutional violations and security concerns. After a sequence of worsening events that combined political unrest with security risks, a state of emergency was finally declared in Rivers State. Lawmakers who were purportedly loyal to previous Governor Nyesom Wike were behind the attempts to remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office, which sparked tensions.
More so, in the midst of this political unrest, terrorist organisations in the Niger Delta threatened to stop oil production if Fubara was ousted. In response to these concerns, three Pipeline explosions in key oil installations—most notably the Trans Niger Pipeline in Aluu—took place between March 16 and March 18, 2025. The Federal Government sent 10,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel to stop additional attacks after these acts caused economic sabotage and fatalities.
National Assembly to discuss whether the emergency rule was lawful.
President Bola Tinubu, in the meantime, suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly after declaring a state of emergency. Civil society organisations, labour unions, and political parties all fiercely opposed this decision, claiming it was an abuse of presidential power and unconstitutional. Experts cautioned that rather than resolving the crisis, the federal intervention might worsen local tensions, and the National Assembly was scheduled to discuss whether the emergency rule was lawful. Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Governor Siminalayi Fubara are engaged in a power struggle that is at the core of the conflict.
A major player in Rivers State politics, Wike was instrumental in Fubara’s victory but quickly clashed with him over control of the state’s political apparatus. Using 19 claimed violations, Wike’s supporters in the state legislature, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, began the process of impeaching Fubara. Despite formally leaving office, this action was perceived as an effort by Wike to keep control of the state administration. Fubara, however, opposed these initiatives, leading to political conflicts that resulted in the State House of Assembly building being demolished, thereby exacerbating the issue.
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According to experts, imposing a state of emergency and suspending democratic processes ought to be reserved for extreme circumstances because doing so could jeopardise constitutional administration. Facilitated political talks, mediated by independent organisations like the National Peace Committee or impartial federal institutions, could be an alternative answer. Legal professionals further advise that in order to avoid the appearance of political witch-hunting, any impeachment processes should adhere closely to constitutional provisions and be conducted in a transparent manner. Additionally, international institutions such as the United Nations and ECOWAS have recommended that in democratic contexts, political disagreements should be settled by discussion rather than by a military taking over.