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The FG has deployed 10,000 Nigerian security and civil defense personnel to the River State to curb pipeline sabotage operations.
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President Bra Tinub declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and state legislator.
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Opposition and trade unions condemned the emergency rules, calling them unconstitutional and attacks on democracy.
The federal government has deployed 10,000 Nigerian security and civil defense personnel to Rivers to curb pipeline sabotage operations as President Bola Tinubu declares a state of emergency in the state.
NSCDC spokesman Afolabi Babawale confirmed the deployment, noting that the operator’s mission is to protect critical infrastructure and prevent pipeline sabotage operations, especially in the Niger Delta.
“The NSCDC hereby warns that the destructive and destructive nature of the assets and infrastructure of key countries in the Niger Delta has been deployed, with more than 10,000 agents deployed to work with other security agencies to provide appropriate peace with peace of life and property.”
President Tinob declared a state of emergency in the Rivers State announcing opposition from all sides.
Opposition MPs and organized Labor to protest against the imposition of emergency rule, calling it an unconstitutional and an attack on democracy.
“The Nigerian authorities must uphold the human rights of river states and ensure that emergencies do not become a cause or justification for the deprivation of people’s rights. The suspension of democratic institutions is a setback in the rule of law. People’s rights must be guaranteed,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of the International Emperor International Nigeria International Nigeria State.
Federal Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) defended the president’s actions and noted that it was a “clear signal” to other crises, pointing out that the federal government will not tolerate illegal acts.
“Let those who want to incite trouble to send a signal,” Fagbemi said.
Fagbemi further explained that the president’s intervention was inevitable given the constitutional violations in the river, including the demolition of the state capitol, and Fobara’s failure to stop radicals from destroying the oil pipeline.
“The president’s actions are the effects of the fundamental cause, and you can’t treat this effect to heal the cause. What is the reason? Governor and Member of Parliament. So you have to act responsibly and have to have a gut,” he said.
In a joint statement, the union condemned the president’s actions as “haunted and unconstitutional” in violation of Article 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
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“This reckless move should pay close attention to every governor and citizen who believes in the rule of law,” the statement said.
PDP National Propaganda Minister Debo Ologunagba also condemned President Tinubu, insisting that Fubara remains the governor of Rivers despite the declaration of a state of emergency and its presidential moratorium.
What President Tinob tried to do was suspend the 1999 constitution, overthrow the democratic government, and was a non-democratic regime in Nigeria, violating the 1st (2), 14 (2), 14 (2), 180, 180, 217 (a), 180, 217 (2) (b) (b) (c) and 305 (c) and 305 (c) and 305 (2).
The National Assembly has debated the legality of the emergency rules announced by President Tinob in Rivers.
