Senate Holds Closed-Door Session on Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Fubara’s Suspension
The Senate has gone into a closed session to deliberate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.
The closed-door session was announced after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter at plenary on Thursday. Following this, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for a private deliberation under Order 135 of the Senate rules, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
According to The Kogi Tribune Online, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
In a national broadcast, the President justified the move by citing prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and security concerns. The ongoing crisis, which has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
To restore order, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State. Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, will oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is reestablished.
