State of Emergency is trending because President Tinubu has declared it in Rivers State, due to rising tensions and explosion of pipelines.
Meaning that Gov. Sim Fubara, Deputy Ngozi Odu and the entire rivers assembly has been suspended for six months, both Wike’s and Sim’s.
Tinubu stated that, the governor was unable to control the initial explosion. Therefore leaving the state vulnerable, forcing him to invoke Section 305(5) of the 1999 constitution.
This doesn’t mean Sim has been removed. It’s just protocol for the President to use other means to restore peace to the state. After which, the suspended authority will be restored.
In 2004 President Olusegun Obasanjo declared state of emergency in Plateau state, suspended Governor, Mr. Joshua Dariye and the House of Assembly for six months, and installed a military administration.
In the year 2006, again Olusegun Obasanjo declared State of Emergency in Ekiti State, where he removed Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi and replaced them with retired Army General, Tunji Olurin for a period of six months.
In the 2013 event, President Goodluck Jonathan declared state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States due to Boko Haram, but he didn’t suspend democratic structures.
State of Emergency is a softer measure, in comparison to Martial Law. However, the president didn’t mention his plans for temporary administration.
Note that, the NASS led by Akpabio still has to approve it, otherwise it will be overruled which isn’t happening. Also, the State of Emergency can be renewed for another six months.
For the explosion. Random reports from Rivers are alleging that militants have no hands in the explosion. Alleging that Fubara had been on site to restore order and understand the situation, and Ijaw people are not involved. Fingers continue to point to Wike, alleging internal sabotage.
Nigerians don’t think the situation is worthy of a State of Emergency. Arguing that, states where lives are lost daily to bandits and herdsmen did not get this kind of attention.
But a state where no one has d!ed, and the tension is only cold between Fubara and Wike, is where the President decides to give premium priority.
As things stand, all attempts at impeachment are on hold until further notice.
There are however, reports of military movement in Rivers administrative areas.
