Approves President Tinubu’s request for declaration of a state of emergency and 6-month suspension of the elected governor, deputy, state assembly
The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Earlier this Thursday, the House of Representatives granted approval to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by the president.
This move also includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy from office.
With this approval, President Tinubu is now empowered to enforce emergency measures in the state, with provisions for a periodic review of the situation, not exceeding six months.
The announcement came after a closed-door session of the Senate on Thursday, which lasted over an hour.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the decision, emphasizing that the approval grants the President the necessary authority to restore stability in Rivers State.
Akpabio stated that the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 to pass the resolution.
Earlier, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu had written the Senate a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension he slammed on Fubara.
The letter read aloud at plenary by Akpabio said, “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.
“The main features of the proclamation are as follows.
- A declaration of a State of Emergency in one State of the Federation, namely, River State.
- The suspension from office of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
- An appointment of Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the Administrator to administer the State something to any instruction or regulation as made from time to time be issued by me.
“While I look forward to the expeditious Constitution of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Akpabio, after reading the letter, added, “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for Immediate passage.”
Meanwhile, immediately after the letter, Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West raised a point of Order 133 that has to do with having a closed-door session.
Meanwhile, political watchers and legal experts have called out the president for declaring a state of emergency in a situation where the preconditions stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the FRN do not hold sway.
Most lawyers who spoke on the matter berated President Bola Tinubu who exercising a power he was never conferred with by the Constitution for suspending and elected governor of a state and the house of Assembly.
