Senate in Closed Session Over Rivers’ State of Emergency

The Nigerian Senate has entered a closed session to deliberate on President Bola Tinubu’s controversial declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The development was announced on Thursday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Tinubu during plenary. Following this, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for a closed session in accordance with Order 135 of the Senate rules, a move that was swiftly seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

Earlier in the day, the House of Representatives had already approved the president’s emergency rule proclamation through a voice vote during plenary in the green chamber. However, the method of approval has sparked controversy, with calls for a more transparent voting process.

Prominent figures, including Atedo Peterside, founder of the Anap Foundation, criticized the reliance on voice votes for such a critical decision.

“A two-thirds majority cannot be achieved via a voice vote. Members voting for or against the resolution to ratify the president’s emergency actions must identify themselves and cast their votes individually,” Peterside asserted

The emergency declaration, announced on Tuesday, came in response to a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State. In a sweeping move, President Tinubu not only suspended Governor Fubara but also removed his deputy, Ngozi Odu, along with all members of the state House of Assembly for a period of six months.

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To oversee the state during this period, Tinubu appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the administrator.

The emergency rule declaration has ignited fierce debate in the National Assembly, with reports suggesting that securing the required two-thirds majority for full ratification remains a significant challenge for the president. TheCable earlier reported that Tinubu’s bid to push through the approval has encountered strong resistance, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama.