Reps to legislate for Rivers, as emergency rule takes effect

By Kunle Sanni

The House of Representatives on Thursday ratified President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State, voting unanimously in favor of the decision.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, stated that 240 lawmakers attended the session.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months following the political crisis that had engulfed the state.

The president also nominated and swore in Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) on Wednesday as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

The decision has elicited mixed reactions from various groups, with many Nigerians keenly anticipating debates among National Assembly members.

However, the House made several amendments to the proclamation. Western Post outlines the three key amendments ratified by the Abbas-led House of Representatives:

1. Constitution of a National Mediation Committee – The committee will comprise eminent Nigerians, including representatives from the Federal Executive and Legislature, to facilitate dialogue and resolution during the emergency period.
2. Granting the National Assembly authority over legislative functions – The National Assembly will assume legislative duties in Rivers State if deemed necessary. Lawmakers cited Sections 11(4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to take over a state’s lawmaking functions in cases where governance has broken down.
3. Periodic review of the emergency rule – The emergency rule will be reviewed periodically within the initial six-month duration. If peace is sufficiently restored, it may be terminated earlier.