Senate Approves Emergency Rule In Rivers State, Governor Suspended

ABUJA – The Nigerian Senate has officially approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation imposing a six-month emergency rule on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. The resolution was reached on Thursday following a closed-door session lasting over an hour.

Senate’s Decision on Rivers State Emergency Rule

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval after deliberations based on Senate Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136. Prior to this, Akpabio read aloud a formal letter from President Tinubu detailing the emergency measure.

The letter, in compliance with Section 305, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), outlined key aspects of the proclamation:

State of Emergency Declaration: A formal emergency status was imposed on Rivers State.
Suspension of Key Officials: Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire State House of Assembly were suspended from office.
Appointment of an Administrator: Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba was designated as the interim administrator, responsible for governing the state under directives issued by President Tinubu.

The letter further urged the Senate to expedite action on the confirmation process.

Legislative Actions and Reactions

Following the reading of the proclamation, Senate President Akpabio directed that the matter be immediately referred to the entire Senate Committee for urgent consideration and passage.

Meanwhile, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) raised a motion under Senate Order 133, calling for a closed-door discussion on the development.

Implications of the Emergency Rule

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is expected to impact governance, security, and administrative processes significantly. With the governor and state legislators suspended, Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba is set to take over as the state’s administrator, pending further directives from the presidency.