House Of Reps Endorses Emergency Rule In Rivers State

Scope 06 Apr 2025

Emergency Rule Ratified by House of Representatives

On Thursday, the House of Representatives officially endorsed the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. This move was made after a unanimous voice vote from the 243 members who were present, in strict adherence to Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The decision came after thorough discussions and significant amendments proposed during the session held at the Green Chamber.

Naija News learned that this important announcement was made in a statement issued by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi. The session began with an executive meeting, following Order 16 of the Standing Orders (Eleventh Edition), during which the Speaker and Presiding Officer, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, read out President Tinubu’s official communication regarding the proclamation.

Session Details and Key Considerations

At the plenary session, the House decided to prioritize the matter by postponing all other scheduled business for the day. This decision was made after the House Majority Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, OON, DSSRS, provided a detailed briefing to the members about the circumstances that led to the imposition of the emergency rule. He emphasized the importance of supporting measures that could help restore order and progress in Rivers State.

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The subsequent debate featured contributions from members across party lines. Some supported the State of Emergency, highlighting the necessity for increased security measures to safeguard lives and property. Others, however, raised concerns about the potential for misuse of power and its implications on fundamental human rights. They called for stringent legislative oversight to ensure the proclamation was implemented lawfully and responsibly.

Following the extensive discussions, the House ratified the amended proclamation through a unanimous voice vote, with no opposition from the 243 members present, representing two-thirds of the House's membership. The Speaker confirmed this based on the attendance records taken during the session.

Amendments to the Proclamation

Several key amendments were introduced to the proclamation, ensuring a balanced approach to addressing the crisis. One significant amendment involves the establishment of a National Mediation Committee. This committee will consist of distinguished Nigerians, including representatives from both the Federal Executive and Legislative branches, tasked with facilitating dialogue and resolving the crisis during the emergency period.

Another crucial amendment involves the adoption of Sections 11(4) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended). These sections empower the National Assembly to assume the lawmaking responsibilities of a State House of Assembly if necessary to restore order and governance in the affected state.

To ensure the emergency rule is not prolonged unnecessarily, the House also mandated periodic reviews of its implementation within the first six months. These reviews will assess the situation and determine if the rule can be terminated early, provided peace is sufficiently restored in Rivers State.

Next Steps

The House adjourned the plenary session to resume on Tuesday, March 24, 2025. This decision reflects the commitment of the legislative body to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the emergency measures serve their intended purpose without undermining the principles of democracy and human rights.