National Assembly Legitimizes Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.

Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency on the state following a political crisis in the oil-rich state.

He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Mrs Ngozi Odu, as well as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a six-month period and appointed a retired military chief, Mr Ibok-ete Ibas, as the sole administrator for the state. He was sworn in on Wednesday.

However, the decision was earlier without the approval of the National Assembly. He later approached the parliament to legalize it.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House of Representatives, through a voice vote, approved the request of Mr Tinubu, mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.

Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

Additionally, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.

The constitution requires the upper and lower chambers of the federal parliament to approve the state of emergency by two-third majority each.