Senate Harmonizes With House of Reps, Okays Emergency Rule In Rivers

The Senate on Thursday, March 20, 2025, endorsed the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State and the six months suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly.

The Senate decision followed the outcome of a closed-door session by the members of the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who announced the decision of the Senate after a closed-door session that lasted for over one hour, said that the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135 and 136.

Accordingly, the Senate accepted and consummated the approval of the proclamation through voice vote as against voting as none of the Senators called for division to allow for individual voting on the matter which would have determined two-thirds of the members of the Senate approving the proclamation of the President.

Earlier, Senator Akpabio announced that President Tinubu had communicated the Senate with a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension slammed on Governor Fubara.

The letter states; “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 consideration 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 subject to any instruction or regulation as made be required from time to time be issued by me.

“While I look forward to the expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Immediately after the letter was read, Senator Seriake Dickson, (PDP, Bayelsa West), raised a point of Order 133 that has to do with having a closed-door session.