The Nigerian government has attributed the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State to security intelligence warning of impending attacks on oil pipelines.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, revealed this in an article titled “Imagine Rivers State Without a State of Emergency,” published on Sunday.
He stated that intelligence reports pointed to an escalating crisis, with militants poised to disrupt oil infrastructure.
During a nationwide address on Tuesday, President Tinubu explained that his attempts to resolve the state’s political turmoil had been ignored. The deteriorating security situation, he said, necessitated swift intervention.
“Recent intelligence reports show that militants have begun vandalizing pipelines, and the governor has taken no action to stop them.
“I have issued firm directives to security forces to protect Rivers State and its vital oil assets,” Tinubu declared.
The decision has sparked debate, with critics questioning the necessity of the emergency rule.
However, the Presidency has defended the move, asserting it was based on solid intelligence.
Onanuga pointed to Section 305 of the Constitution, which grants the President authority to act in the face of threats to public order and economic stability.
He suggested that the impeachment crisis in the state might have contributed to attacks on lawmakers and increased security risks.
According to him, militants—allegedly waiting for Fubara’s instructions—were on the verge of carrying out acts of sabotage.
“Intelligence confirmed that militants, under Fubara’s directive, were already targeting pipelines, potentially reducing Nigeria’s oil production and triggering a chain reaction in the Niger Delta,” Onanuga stated.
He stressed that Tinubu’s intervention was necessary to protect Nigeria’s oil economy, warning that any disruptions could have far-reaching consequences.
Addressing concerns that the emergency rule undermines democracy, Onanuga insisted it was a temporary measure aimed at restoring stability rather than replacing democratic institutions.
