The National Assembly has approved the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The decision was reached on Thursday during separate plenary sessions of the Senate and House of Representatives, where lawmakers debated the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly.
Despite opposition calls for rejection, the lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed the President’s proclamation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for a closed-door session, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro. After deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote, and the motion was approved.
Akpabio announced that the Senate acted under Section 305(2) of the Constitution to ratify the President’s action, expressing hope that it would restore peace in Rivers State.
The Senate also urged Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee of eminent Nigerians to mediate between the warring factions. Additionally, lawmakers resolved that the emergency rule should be reviewed or lifted within six months. A joint National Assembly committee will monitor developments in the state.
Earlier, the House of Representatives had also approved the emergency rule after deferring deliberations on Wednesday due to a lack of quorum. At Thursday’s session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that all other items on the Order Paper had been suspended to prioritize Tinubu’s request.
House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, while moving a motion for consideration, called on lawmakers to support the President in finding a lasting solution to the crisis. The motion was adopted through a voice vote, with 243 lawmakers recorded as present.
With this approval, Tinubu’s proclamation now meets the constitutional requirement of two-thirds majority support from both chambers.
