The Presidency has explained why President Bola Tinubu suspended Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and declared a state of emergency, citing serious security threats.

Tinubu recently suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly members for six months. He also appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, intelligence reports revealed that militants were planning to sabotage oil pipelines, posing a major risk to national security and the economy.

Onanuga stated that Section 305 of the Constitution gives the President the authority to step in when law, order, or economic stability is threatened.

He suggested that the push to impeach Fubara might have triggered violent reactions from the governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks were reportedly preparing to attack vital oil infrastructure. This could have dragged Nigeria’s oil production back to the low levels seen before 2023.

Onanuga also alleged that militants had been instructed by Fubara to hold back until they got the signal to strike, which could have led to a significant drop in output and a ripple effect across the Niger Delta.