Senate Approves State of Emergency in Rivers State Following Presidential Declaration
The Nigerian Senate has officially endorsed the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State. This decision was reached during a closed-door session held on Thursday, where lawmakers discussed the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and other local officials.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio opened the session after reading a letter from President Tinubu during the day’s plenary. Following the announcement, Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed that the session be held privately, a motion that was supported by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
During the closed session, a voice vote was called by Akpabio, leading to the Senate’s approval of the emergency situation. Announcing the resolution, Akpabio noted that the Senate acted in accordance with Section 305(2) of the Constitution to support the president’s emergency declaration.
“We anticipate that the President’s declaration will promote peace and help address the ongoing crisis in Rivers State,” Akpabio expressed.
In addition, the Senate urged President Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee made up of prominent Nigerians to mediate between the conflicting parties in Rivers State. The Senate also stipulated that the President has the authority to assess and potentially lift the state of emergency either at his discretion or within six months.
Furthermore, the lawmakers agreed to create a joint ad hoc committee comprising members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to monitor the situation in Rivers State.
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