Senate, Reps approve Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers, suspension of Fubara, others

The Senate and the House of Representatives have approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, along with the six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the assembly, as announced by President Bola Tinubu.

The seal of approval for the president’s proclamation came during plenaries in both the Red and Green chambers on Thursday.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced Senate endorsement after a closed-door session on Thursday that lasted over one hour.

According to him, the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135 and 136.

Akpabio had earlier 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 Iboete Iba, 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, said, “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for immediate passage.”

Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, subsequently moved a motion for a closed session under Order 135 of the Senate rules.

The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

Meanwhile, the House in plenary failed to form a quorum on Wednesday, making it impossible for it to debate the letter of proclamation sent to it by the President.

However, more lawmakers attended Thursday’s plenary as Speaker Abbas announced that every item on the Order Paper for the day had been stepped down to consider President Tinubu’s request to approve emergency rule in Rivers State.

House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, who moved the motion for the consideration of the letter, urged his colleagues to stand up to be counted on the side of history.

He said, “We have our own biases, I have mine. But on this issue, let us all step on the precipice and assist Mr President in having a better solution to this issue. Let’s begin to work from the ground up to create the processes, conversations and negotiations necessary to bring about sustainable, credible and inclusive peace in Rivers State.”

According to Section 305(2) of the Constitution, for the emergency rule to take effect, Tinubu’s proclamation must be approved by at least two-thirds of both chambers.

This translates to 240 votes in the House of Representatives and 73 in the Senate.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, called on members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s report.

As the debate was about to begin, the member of the Labour Party representing Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Abia State, Obinna Aguocha emphasized the need for a quorum, urging the Speaker to verify attendance before proceeding with the exercise.

“For us to continue, Section 305 (6b) requires the House to have two-thirds of members present in the chamber. Let us know our attendance because this will guide whatever we are going to do here,” he said.

Similarly, a representative of Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Frederick Agbedi, urged Speaker Abbas to demonstrate his leadership by sticking with the rules as stipulated in the Constitution.

Responding, Speaker Abbas assured the lawmakers that all proceedings would strictly comply with the Constitution.

In his contribution, Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese urged his colleagues to place the interest of Rivers people first in arriving at a solution to the crisis.

He proposed the formation of a national mediation committee to interface between Gov Fubara and the State Assembly to help bring about peace.