The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which includes a six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the assembly.
This approval was made through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Though before the voting a rep member also demanded a head count of members present in the session to ensure that two-thirds are present in the House.
The House approved a recommendation by Benue lawmaker Philip Agbese to set up a national mediation committee. This committee would help broker peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Minority Whip of the house recommended that the six-month suspension not be made rigid. Instead, if peace is achieved between the warring parties before the period ends, the emergency rule should be lifted with immediate effect.
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President Tinubu had cited prolonged political instability and governance paralysis in Rivers State as justification for his emergency declaration. He emphasized that the crisis had stalled governance and deprived citizens of essential leadership. In line with the emergency measures, he further appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the suspension period.
The move has since sparked mixed reactions, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemning it as unconstitutional. Legal experts argue that an emergency declaration does not dissolve elected governments and warn that the decision sets a dangerous precedent.
