Senate Approves Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Sets Conditions for Review
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. The decision was reached on Thursday following a closed-door session among lawmakers.
This approval comes shortly after the House of Representatives also endorsed the emergency declaration, effectively giving it full legislative backing.
As part of the resolution, the Senate mandated that President Tinubu must review or terminate the emergency rule at any point within the six-month period if peace is restored. Additionally, lawmakers approved the establishment of a joint ad hoc committee of the National Assembly to monitor developments in Rivers during the emergency rule.
The Senate also called for the creation of a reconciliation committee comprising respected Nigerians to mediate the ongoing political crisis and facilitate a resolution before the emergency period elapses.
With this approval, the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is now set to take full effect. However, the decision remains controversial, with debates over its constitutional implications and political consequences.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), has assumed full control of Rivers State. He arrived in the state on Thursday and immediately held a closed-door meeting with senior security officials and key stakeholders to outline the next steps in stabilizing governance.
