Nigeria Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, Suspends Governor and Lawmakers

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18. The declaration led to the suspension of the state governor, his deputy, and all state lawmakers. A retired vice admiral was nominated as caretaker to oversee the state's affairs for an initial six-month period. This action follows a political crisis within Rivers State involving factions of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). State lawmakers had previously threatened to impeach the governor and his deputy. Authorities are also investigating a blast that caused a fire on Nigeria's Trans Niger Pipeline in Rivers State. The Trans Niger Pipeline is a major oil artery that transports crude oil from onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal.