Senate Approves Emergency Rule in Rivers State

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a period of six months. The decision was announced on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a closed-door session that lasted over an hour.

Akpabio confirmed that the Senate acted in accordance with Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 of its standing rules. During plenary, he read aloud a letter from President Tinubu detailing the emergency proclamation and requesting the Senate’s constitutional endorsement as required by Section 305 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The President’s letter highlighted key aspects of the emergency rule, including the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the suspension of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly. It also announced the appointment of Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Administrator of the state, who is to operate under directives from the Presidency.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee of the Whole Senate for immediate consideration and passage. The move was promptly supported by Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West, who invoked Order 133 to facilitate a closed-door session to deliberate on the sensitive issue.