.As NASS unanimously okays Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule
…Mulls joint Ad-hoc committee with Reps to oversee affairs of Rivers State
CHIGOZIE AMADI
After about one and half hours closed doors session on consideration and approval of State of Emergency Proclamation made by President Bola Tinubu on Rivers State on Tuesday this week , the Senate Thursday approved it unanimously .
Approval of the State of Emergency in Rivers State by the Senate was done through voice votes put to Senators by the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio based on resolutions adopted at the closed doors session which were all affirmed unanimously .
Announcing resolutions adopted at the closed doors session by Senators, Akpabio said ” The Senate invokes the powers conveyed on it by Section 305 of Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended ), approves the proclamation of state of emergency declared by Mr President in Rivers State of Nigeria.
“The Senate further directs that the declaration of the state of emergency stated in the proclamation documents and demands of Mr President to review and even to terminate the state of emergency at any given time, but not later than six months.
“The Senate further resolved that Section 11, Subsection 4 be invoked, providing the National Assembly the authority to set up a joint ad hoc committee of both chambers to oversight the administration of Rivers State henceforth.
” The Senate further resolved that a Committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to reconcile the warring groups within the government of River State within the period of the State of Emergency in River State.
“The Senate further resolved that a Committee of eminent Nigerians to reconcile the warring factions in Rivers State should be set up and carry out their action during the period of state of emergency.
” For final ratification , I put it to the Senate that those in favour of the proclamation of the state of emergency 2025 in Rivers State , should say aye “, which was affirmatively responded to , by all the Senators in the chamber .
Apparently impressed with the affirmative response to the question on approval of the State of Emergency by Senators , the President of the Senate , Akpabio said ” this approval is done with unanimity without a single nay “.
” Therefore , pursuant to section 60 of the constitution, section 305 (2) and pursuant to our rules, Rule 1 (b) of the standing orders of the senate and also pursuant to Rules 133, 134, 135
and 136 of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the State of Emergency Proclamation in Rivers State was approved and other vital resolutions taken “, he said .
Thereafter the Senate adjourned for one hour and reconvened later to pass votes and proceedings of the entire session and finally adjpurned to Tuesaday , 25th March , 2025
Earlier , before the Senate went into closed doors session , mild altercation ensued between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Seriake Dickson ( PDP Bayelsa West) .
The altercation began when Senator Dickson raised a point of Order after Akpabio read written gazette on the Proclamation of State of Emergency to Senators and called on the Senate Leader to guide the Senate for its expeditious consideration .
As Senator Dickson raised the point of Order , Akpabio told him to sit down that he had already known where he stood on the State of Emergency having watched him on Television on Wednesday, where he said his views , would not align with that of the Senate .
” Senator Dickson , please hold on with your point of order ,. I heard all what you said on the television yesterday that the Senate will not go with you on the issue at hand and we are not going to go with you .
” You are a former governor like myself and now distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . Please let’s do things in the interest of Nigerians “, he said .
However, when finally allowed to raise the point of order , Seriake Dickson , drew attention of the Senate to Orders 133 of the Senate Standing rules , which required matter of state of emergency to be deliberated upon in closed doors session .
Akpabio upon hearing that , upheld his point of order , which was later held by the Senate where all its resolutions were taken on the State of Emergency .
.Reps Approve President Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers State
Also, The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State as declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The House adopted the motion moved by the Majority Leader Hon.Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and debated on the declaration of State of Emergency and approved it with a vote at a plenary session attended by two hundred and forty three (243) members
During the debate, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Hon.Phillip Agbese, called for the inauguration of National Peace and Reconcilatory Committee to mediate among the parties involved in political crisis in Rivers State.
Moreover, the House in an amendment to the motion by a Hon.Ben Etanabene (Delta,PDP) approved the take over of the legislative activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly in line with the section 11 subsection 4 of the Constitution.
The House in another amendment clause by the Minority Whip Hon..Ali Isa JC urged President Bola Tinubu to review the Status of the State of Emergency within the given six months earlier announced by the President.
Meanwhile,the green chamber earlier today received a letter on the declaration of State of Emergency from President Bola Tinubu that was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker House of Hon.Dr Tajudeen Abbas for the members to debate.
Nigerians have expressed divergent opinions over the Declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu
While some citizens said that the declaration by President Tinubu was in line with the constitutional provisions others described President Tinubu’s action as unconstitutional.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu on Tuesday night in a live broadcast declared State of Emergency in Rivers State citing break down of law and order arising from political crisis in the State.
In the declaration President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu and Members of Rivers State House of Assembly for initial period of six months.
President Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as sole administrator for the period of six months
