The House of Representatives has voted in favor of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a request from the presidency.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing the escalating political crisis in the state.
In a formal letter to the National Assembly on Thursday, Tinubu sought legislative approval for the emergency rule. The letter was read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbass during the plenary session.
When put to a voice vote, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the president’s decision, granting formal approval for the state of emergency to take effect.
Speaker Abbass confirmed that 240 lawmakers attended the session, surpassing the required quorum for the decision.
However, the House has made some amendments to the proclamation. These include the set up of a committee of eminent Nigerians to mediate on the matter during the period of emergency,
It also drew attention to the Constitutional provision that allows the National Assembly to make laws for a state if at any time the state assembly is unable to perform its functions, disagreeing with Tinubu’s position that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would usurp this function.
The House of Representatives also said the state of emergency can be reviewed and terminated at any time within the initial six months, as proclaimed, based on progress made about peace.
Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the South-South state and nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the sole administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state.
He cited “latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them”.
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But that move has received condemnations from leaders of the opposition and other Nigerians.
Prominent Nigerians including legal experts, and governors, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai among others have faulted Tinubu’s decision.
However, the Federal Government has defended the president’s actions.
