Nigerian lawmakers on Thursday backed President Bola Tinubu’s emergency measures, including the suspension of an opposition governor in Rivers state, an oil-producing region in the Niger Delta.
Tinubu introduced the emergency measures on Tuesday, citing the need to curb pipeline vandalism amid a political crisis that is threatening to disrupt oil production. The crisis involves factions within the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and has led to increased unrest in the region.
Authorities are investigating the cause of an explosion in Rivers state that has shut down the Trans Niger Pipeline, a crucial oil route that transports crude from onshore fields to the Bonny export terminal.
Although some opposition lawmakers had initially threatened to block the emergency actions, both the Senate and the House of Representatives ultimately gave their approval. The state of emergency in Rivers state will remain in effect for six months.