Nigeria, March 19 -- President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, citing diverse reasons such as the political impasse in the state, the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgement and the wilful destruction of oil pipelines by militants allegedly sympathetic to the embattled governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara.

The president also announced a six months suspension of the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected legislators.

The suspended officials were replaced by Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, who will serve as Rivers administrator for six months.

Mr Ibas will essentially govern the oil-rich state for the next six months but his policies have to be approved by the Federal Ex...