Explosion Hits Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers State
A major explosion has occurred along the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, causing a fire outbreak.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but authorities are investigating whether it was due to technical failure or sabotage. The incident comes amid heightened tensions, with militant groups previously threatening to target oil facilities in response to political disputes over the state’s allocation of federal funds.
The pipeline, a crucial export route for crude oil to the Bonny Terminal, reportedly went up in flames on Monday night. No official casualty reports have been released yet, and the relevant agencies are assessing the damage.
Rivers Crisis: APC Chieftain Warns Wike Could Destabilize Party Before 2027
A senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has cautioned that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, could cause internal turmoil within the ruling party, similar to how he allegedly weakened the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before the 2023 elections.
Garba, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, warned that Wike’s political maneuvers against Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, might lead to instability within the APC before the 2027 elections.
The rift between Wike and Fubara, which began shortly after the governor assumed office in 2023, has created deep divisions in the state’s political landscape. At one point, 27 lawmakers declared their defection to the APC, only to later retract their decision.
This conflict has resulted in the emergence of a parallel House of Assembly, with Victor Oko-Jumbo leading one faction while the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly, confirming its legitimacy.
As tensions escalated, the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara on Monday, citing alleged gross misconduct.
Reacting to these developments, Garba urged caution, stating:
“If we allow Wike to continue his overreach on Fubara in Rivers, he will destabilize the APC before 2027, just as he weakened the PDP before 2023. Given the current situation, this is not the right time for such actions.”
He further warned that:
“Political stability isn’t achieved through excessive displays of power but through balance and dialogue. Wike’s moves in Rivers could lead to a total political showdown. It’s important to learn from history and act wisely.”
