The House of Representatives has officially voted in support of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, solidifying the executive decision amid widespread opposition and political debate.
The declaration, which was made by the President on Tuesday, resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a period of six months.
This move followed months of political turmoil and governance deadlock in the oil-rich state, exacerbated by a bitter power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Fubara.
During a plenary session held today at the National Assembly in Abuja, 240 lawmakers were in attendance as Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presided over the proceedings. In a voice vote, the House backed the President’s decision, further cementing the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Backdrop of the Emergency Rule
The political crisis in Rivers State has been ongoing for nearly two years, driven by intense rivalries and disputes over control of the state’s political structure.
Tensions escalated with the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly, which is aligned with Wike, listing 19 infractions against Governor Fubara, setting the stage for an impeachment process.
The already fragile situation worsened with a series of explosions targeting critical oil infrastructure in the state, including a major blast on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, on Sunday.
Security forces have since made arrests in connection with the attack, reinforcing suspicions of politically motivated sabotage.
Deployment of Security Forces
In response to the crisis, the Federal Government deployed 10,000 operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to safeguard key national assets, particularly oil pipelines, in the Niger Delta region.
Additionally, military forces have taken control of the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, signaling the commencement of the emergency administration.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.), who was appointed as the sole administrator of the state, has since been sworn in at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. He pledged to restore peace, security, and stability in the state during his tenure.
Opposition’s Reaction
Despite the House of Representatives’ approval, the emergency rule declaration has drawn strong criticism from opposition leaders, civil society organizations, and legal experts, who argue that the President’s action is unconstitutional and amounts to a political overreach.
Prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have called on the National Assembly to reject the emergency rule. Atiku, in a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, described the declaration as an “unconstitutional power grab” and urged lawmakers to vote against it.
However, with the House of Representatives voting in favor, the final decision now rests with the Senate.
Legal experts have also raised concerns over the use of Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President power to declare a state of emergency but under specific conditions.
Critics argue that Rivers State does not meet the required threshold, as there has been no large-scale breakdown of law and order necessitating such an intervention.
Senate Awaits Debate
While the House of Representatives has given its approval, the Nigerian Senate has yet to deliberate on the matter. A vote in the Senate is expected within the coming days, and should the upper chamber also back the President’s declaration, the emergency rule in Rivers State will remain in effect for the full six-month period.
With political tensions still running high, all eyes remain on the Senate’s decision and the potential legal battles that could emerge in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the people of Rivers State remain at the center of a rapidly evolving political landscape that could have far-reaching implications for governance and democracy in Nigeria.
