President Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency In Rivers State: National Assembly Faces Crucial Decision

High-Stakes Debate Today as National Assembly Weighs Emergency Declaration

It’s crunch time in Abuja as the Senate and House of Representatives gear up for what promises to be a heated session today (Thursday). Lawmakers are set to deliberate on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The issue had been slated for discussion yesterday, but emotions ran high in the House of Representatives, forcing a postponement until today.

Over at the Senate, the matter was listed on the Order Paper, but it didn’t get debated. The reason? Lawmakers feared they wouldn’t secure the two-thirds majority needed to approve the emergency declaration. So, they rescheduled the session for 3 p.m. today, giving themselves one last chance to make the call before the clock runs out.

Constitutional Deadline Looms Large

According to the Nigerian Constitution, the National Assembly has a 48-hour window to either approve or reject the President’s emergency declaration. Both chambers need a two-thirds majority to pass it. If they fail to act by midnight today, the declaration automatically lapses. That’s the ticking clock lawmakers are up against as they prepare for today’s session.

Read also:

Celebrity Homes And Cars Where The Rich And Famous Live And What They Drive

But here’s the twist: Wednesday’s sessions in both chambers were thinly attended. Many lawmakers were out of the country, in Saudi Arabia, for the Umrah pilgrimage. This left a significant gap in the chamber, making it harder to reach the required quorum. Reports suggest some members were overheard urging their colleagues abroad to cut their trips short and return for this critical vote.

President Tinubu Steps In Amid Rivers Leadership Crisis

Let’s rewind for a moment. The state of emergency wasn’t declared on a whim. President Tinubu took this step in response to escalating tensions in Rivers State. In his national address, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. They’ll all be out of the picture for six months while Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd.), a former Chief of Naval Staff, steps in as the state administrator.

On Wednesday, President Tinubu officially swore in Admiral Ibas, marking the beginning of his tenure. With this move, the President aims to restore order and stability in the state, which has been grappling with political turmoil. But the ball is now in the National Assembly’s court. Will they back the President’s decision, or will they reject it? That’s the question everyone’s waiting to see answered today.

As the nation watches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The outcome of today’s sessions will shape the trajectory of governance not just in Rivers State, but also in how the federal government handles emergencies moving forward.