- NLNG facility in Rivers unscathed after explosion
- SERAP sues Tinubu over suspension of gov, lawmakers
Aso Rock has dismissed the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political actors in Rivers State as an attempt to grab the state, insisting that President Bola Tinubu acted decisively to prevent the state from descending into anarchy.
This was as Fubara, yesterday, made his first public appearance after the declaration of emergency on the state by Tinubu.However, an explosion at the Soku oil facility operated by the NLNG Limited in Akuku Toru Local Council of Rivers has been confirmed. But the facility reportedly remained intact.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Tinubu and two others at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the “unlawful suspension” of a democratically elected governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly members in Rivers while exercising his constitutional powers to proclaim a state of emergency in the state.
In a statement, yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, outlined the urgent need for intervention, stressing that waiting for the total collapse of governance before acting would have been reckless and irresponsible.
The Rivers crisis, stemming from a bitter power struggle between Fubara and House of Assembly members loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, crippled governance in the state. Despite Supreme Court rulings affirming constitutional governance, the feuding factions refused to back down.
According to the Presidency, intelligence reports confirmed that militants in the creeks were primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure, posing a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic security.
“Imagine a Rivers State where President Tinubu hesitated. The political standoff could have spiralled into violence, with attacks on lawmakers and the state’s vital oil infrastructure at risk. Schools and hospitals would shut down, investors would flee, and the human and economic toll would be catastrophic,” the statement reads.
Critics argue that the suspension of Fubara and other political actors was an assault on democracy, but the Presidency insisted that the move was a temporary reset, not a takeover.
“This is no power grab,” the statement emphasised. “The intervention is temporary, surgical and aimed at restoring, not replacing, democratic institutions. The six-month suspension is designed to disarm warring factions and stabilise governance.”
FUBARA, accompanied by top politicians, major stakeholders, elders, leaders in the state and associates attended church service at Salvation Ministries Headquarters, Port Harcourt.
Residents, while noticing the governor’s convoy on his way to church, trooped out and cheered him, shouting: “The people’s governor.” Stakeholders, including elders in the state, at the weekend, raised concerns about Fubara’s whereabouts, stating that he had been unreachable since the declaration of emergency and his suspension alongside his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu.
The elders led by Anabs Sara-Igbe, urged Fubara to make a public appearance if he was safe and healthy, for them to trace his ordeals. However, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the suspended governor, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed that the governor went to church to express gratitude to God for His love, mercy and unwavering support amid the festering political challenges.
CAUSE of the NLNG facility explosion is yet to be ascertained at the time of going to press. Following the political crisis in Rivers, reports of explosions in different oil facilities have occurred in the last week.
Confirming the latest incident in Soku, the Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the explosion was accompanied by fireballs.
However, the Soku kingdom described the explosion as false, and social media reports that fire engulfed the Soku gas plant. General Secretary of Soku Kingdom, Witness Alasia, said though there was a fire outbreak in one of the gas pipelines along Soku-Abua-Rumuji right of way, the Soku gas plant, which is one of the major feeders of the nation’s economy, is safe and in a perfect working condition.
He said: “The public should disregard this unguided and untrue report. We use this medium to inform the public that Soku and her satellite communities are safe and calm. Regards”
JOINED in the suit as defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and the new sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).
The suit was brought by Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho, who are members of SERAP Volunteers’ Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers. The plaintiffs are registered voters and the elected in the 2023 general elections.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2025 filed at the weekend, the plaintiffs seek an order setting aside the suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers by Tinubu.
They are also seeking an order setting aside the appointment of Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The Guardian
