The Nigerian Senate has joined it’s House of Representatives counterparts to approve President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
With this latest development, the approval will now grant President Tinubu the power to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.
The decision was announced by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, after a closed-door session on Thursday that lasted over an hour.
Akpabio stated that the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 to pass the resolution.
Earlier, Akpabio 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, added, “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for Immediate passage.”
Meanwhile, immediately after the letter, Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West raised a point of Order 133 that has to do with having a closed-door session.