On Thursday, the Senate approved the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State, following a two-hour closed-door session. The approval was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
President Tinubu had declared the state of emergency on Tuesday in response to the ongoing political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. In his nationwide emergency broadcast, the President expressed concern over the state’s deteriorating situation, emphasizing that the people of Rivers had been deprived of good governance and stability.
The President pointed out that despite numerous interventions, including his own, the crisis had persisted, and no tangible resolution had been achieved. Tinubu further highlighted that fourteen months after Governor Fubara demolished the House of Assembly, it remained in ruins. He stressed that the political turmoil had led to a complete standstill in the state.
In a bold move, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state. Ibas was sworn in on Wednesday, tasked with restoring governance and peace in Rivers State.
The Senate’s approval solidifies the President’s declaration, which was made with the intention of ensuring the well-being of the people of Rivers and restoring order in the state.
