Nigeria's power infrastructure is facing significant challenges, as evidenced by recent events impacting electricity supply in Rivers and Bayelsa states. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that four of its towers along the Owerri-Ahoada 132kV double circuit line were vandalized, leading to their collapse. This incident occurred around 6:23 pm on Tuesday, March 11, and was discovered following a failed trial reclosure that prompted a subsequent patrol. According to the TCN, the collapse of towers T171 to T174 was a direct result of vandalism, disrupting power supply to the Ahoda, Gbarain, and Yenagoa 132kV transmission substations. Consequently, parts of Rivers State and the entire Bayelsa State have experienced power outages.

The TCN has dispatched a team of engineers, led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Akpa, to assess the damage and mobilize resources for repair. The company has condemned the act of vandalism and appealed to host communities to help combat the sabotage of power infrastructure. In a parallel effort to enhance grid stability, the TCN has inaugurated a network monitoring system development committee. This committee aims to design and implement an advanced monitoring system with integrated data analysis and real-time operational awareness capabilities. The goal is to optimize generation and transmission resources within the grid.

Nafisat Ali, the Executive Director of Independent System Operations (ISO), emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that the current manual operation of the power system poses challenges in visibility and tracking stakeholder activities. The increasing complexity of the power system necessitates a comprehensive network monitoring system. The committee, chaired by Ojo Oladeji, plans to leverage Phase Measuring Units (PMU) and Internet of Things (IoT) data to achieve its objectives. The eight-member committee will utilize domestic technologies, including IoT, to develop the network monitoring system, which will be operational before the completion of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and will serve as a backup. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools across generation, transmission, and distribution data processing is expected to significantly enhance the project's success.

Meanwhile, in Rivers State, political tensions are escalating. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to prioritize the interests of the people and embrace peace. This appeal was made during the commissioning of projects in Okrika Local Government Area. Fubara urged all dissatisfied political actors to commit to the full implementation of the February 28, 2025, Supreme Court decisions. The Supreme Court's judgment recognized Martins Amaewhule as the House Speaker and mandated the re-presentation of the 2025 Budget to the Amaewhule-led House.

However, Fubara was denied access to the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when he attempted to re-present the 2025 Budget. While the governor claimed he communicated his visit to Speaker Amaewhule, the Assembly stated that it received no such correspondence. Adding to the tension, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike suggested that lawmakers could impeach Fubara for alleged offenses, including withholding their salaries. The Supreme Court has also declared the local government election conducted on October 5, 2024, as invalid and ordered a fresh poll.

Tonye Cole, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State in the 2023 elections, has criticized the locking out of Governor Fubara by the state assembly as a declaration of war. Cole believes this action sends a message that the governor lacks power and will deter investment in the state. Speaking on Arise Television, Cole lamented that the power play is causing the people to suffer and that no investment will come to Rivers State at this point. He emphasized that the governor being locked out is a clear statement that the power has shifted, which he believes does not bode well for the state.