National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Senate has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, granting the federal government full control over governance and security in the crisis-hit state.
During plenary on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s request before lawmakers retreated into a closed-door session.
Following deliberations, a voice vote showed overwhelming support for the decision, with Akpabio announcing that the Senate had acted under Section 305(2) of the Constitution to approve the move.
“It is our hope that this declaration by the president will bring peace and resolve all the impasse in Rivers State,” Akpabio stated.
Beyond approving the emergency rule, the Senate urged Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee of respected Nigerians to mediate between the political factions fueling the crisis.
Lawmakers also asked the president to reassess the situation periodically and, if necessary, lift the emergency rule before its six-month limit.
The Senate further resolved to establish a joint committee with the House of Representatives to oversee governance in Rivers State during the emergency period.
Rivers has been embroiled in a fierce political battle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite Tinubu’s intervention in December 2023, which resulted in a peace deal, tensions flared again, culminating in an attempt to impeach Fubara.
In response, Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, appointing retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator, effectively dissolving the state government and placing Rivers under federal control.
With emergency rule now in place, the federal government is expected to take charge of governance and security, while efforts continue to find a lasting political solution to the crisis.
