Rivers’ emergency rule: Stormy sessions expected Thursday in National Assembly

By Olaolu Bilau in Abuja

The separate sessions of the Senate and House of Representatives are expected to be stormy on Thursday as the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu comes up for discussion.

Tempers flared in the House on Wednesday when an attempt was made to discuss the issue, leading to its postponement until Thursday.

In the Senate, although the matter was listed on the Order Paper, it was not debated. Sensing the difficulty of securing the required two-thirds majority for approval, the discussion was rescheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Under the constitution, both chambers of the National Assembly have 48 hours to either approve or reject the emergency declaration by a two-thirds majority in each chamber. The deadline expires at midnight on Thursday.

Wednesday’s session in both chambers was affected by low attendance, as many lawmakers had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (lesser hajj). WESTERN POST overheard some National Assembly members calling on their colleagues observing Umrah to return for the crucial session.

President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the escalation of the state’s leadership crisis.

In his national address, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. He appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd.), as the state administrator.

On Wednesday, President Tinubu officially inaugurated Ibas to assume his new role.