Senate Approves Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers State.
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a closed-door session on Thursday.
This decision came hours after the House of Representatives also backed the declaration, albeit with key amendments to the original proclamation.
House of Representatives Introduces Modifications
During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers supported the emergency rule through a voice vote but insisted on critical adjustments. The House ruled that the National Assembly, rather than the Federal Executive Council, should assume legislative functions in the state during the emergency period.
Additionally, the House proposed the formation of a committee comprising eminent Nigerians to mediate the crisis. Lawmakers also stipulated that the emergency rule could be reviewed or terminated before the initial six-month period, depending on progress toward restoring peace.
Reasons for the Declaration
President Tinubu declared the state of emergency on Tuesday, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and state lawmakers. He justified the decision by citing security threats and the vandalism of critical oil pipelines in the region.
Backlash from Opposition and Legal Experts
The move has sparked widespread criticism from opposition leaders, legal experts, and some state governors. Prominent figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, have condemned the decision as an overreach of executive power.
Despite the backlash, the Federal Government has defended the president’s action, maintaining that it was necessary to restore stability in the state. However, with growing calls for legal scrutiny and potential court challenges, the state of emergency in Rivers remains a contentious issue in Nigeria’s political landscape.
