The Nigerian Senate has approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers to address the escalating political crisis.
During a closed-door session on Thursday, the lawmakers invoked Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the President authority to impose emergency rule in cases of severe governance breakdown. The Senate also mandated President Bola Tinubu to review the state of emergency periodically and consider its termination within six months.
In addition to approving emergency rule, the Senate resolved to invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution, allowing the National Assembly to assume legislative functions for Rivers State during the suspension of its elected officials. This means federal lawmakers will oversee legislative activities in the state until normalcy is restored.
Furthermore, the Senate announced the formation of a committee comprising eminent citizens tasked with mediating between the warring political factions in Rivers State. The goal is to facilitate dialogue and find a lasting resolution to the crisis.
The Senate’s decision follows a similar approval by the House of Representatives earlier in the day, which endorsed the emergency declaration and the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The federal government has cited governance paralysis, security threats, and prolonged political instability as justification for the emergency measures. However, opposition voices and civil society groups have raised concerns over the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.
