The Senate on Thursday approved the declaration of a state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
The resolution by the Red Chamber was taken at Thursday’s closed-door session of the legislators to deliberate on the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and other elected officials.
The closed session was announced after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from Tinubu at plenary on Thursday.
According to him, the Red Chamber after a closed door meeting, based its decision on its Orders 133, 134, 135 and 136.
Earlier, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu had written the Red Chamber a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension he slammed on Fubara.
The letter read at plenary by Akpabio said, “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.
“The main features of the proclamation are as follows.
“A declaration of a State of Emergency in one State of the Federation, namely, River State.
“The suspension from office of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
“An appointment of Vice-Admiral Iboete Iba as the Administrator to administer the State, something to any instruction or regulation as made from time to time, be issued by me.
“While I look forward to the expeditious constitution of the Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate president, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Akpabio, after reading the letter, stated that “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for immediate passage.”
