A new pipeline explosion has been reported in Gbarain Kingdom, Bayelsa State, just as President Bola Tinubu was addressing the nation to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, citing the ongoing political crisis.
Reacting to the announcement, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, declined to comment immediately.
“The president has made a declaration, and what do you think we can say? I think it is too hasty to make any comment about it,” Johnson said.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs.
The crisis in Rivers intensified due to the power struggle between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over control of the state’s political structure.
This latest explosion is the third reported incident following the House of Assembly’s impeachment move against Governor Fubara.
Just hours before, another major pipeline explosion hit Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State, following an earlier blast in Bodo, Gokana LGA.