The House of Representatives has officially approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The decision, which comes after weeks of political tension and crisis in the state, was ratified by the lawmakers during a plenary session on Thursday through a voice vote.
The approval follows President Tinubu’s proclamation earlier this week, which called for the suspension of key democratic institutions in Rivers, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ipalibo Harry Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The declaration of emergency was made in response to ongoing political disputes and unrest in the state, particularly involving the governor and the state legislature.
Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for several months, with deepening divisions between Governor Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly. The political gridlock reached a tipping point when the House of Assembly served an impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy. The alleged misconduct by the governor and his deputy had sparked widespread calls for their removal, which ultimately led to the presidential intervention.
In a bid to restore order and stability in the state, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, invoking Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which allows for such declarations in cases of extreme political unrest, war, invasion, or significant breakdown of public order. The move, however, has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with some supporting the decision as necessary for maintaining peace, while others argue that it undermines democratic processes and violates the principles of federalism.
The House of Representatives’ approval on Thursday came swiftly after a brief deliberation. During the plenary session, lawmakers discussed the implications of the president’s decision, with some raising concerns about the potential consequences for Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Despite these concerns, the majority of lawmakers voted in favor of the state of emergency, signaling their support for President Tinubu’s actions.
The approval was granted through a voice vote, with lawmakers calling out their approval or disapproval. The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, presided over the session and confirmed that the voice vote overwhelmingly favoured the president’s proclamation.
The decision now paves the way for the suspension of the elected officials in Rivers State, as the state enters a six-month period under emergency rule. This means that all political power in Rivers State will temporarily be vested in the federal government, with appointed officials overseeing governance in the state.
While the approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State is seen by some as a necessary intervention to address the political crisis, others have raised concerns about the legality and constitutionality of the move. Critics argue that the situation in Rivers State does not meet the criteria for declaring a state of emergency as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, which only allows for such declarations in cases of war, invasion, or significant public danger.
In a statement released shortly after the president’s initial declaration, the South-South Governors’ Forum, which includes the governors of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers States, expressed their opposition to the decision. The forum argued that the political disputes in Rivers State should have been resolved through legal and constitutional means, rather than through executive intervention.
The governors pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution already provides a process for the impeachment of a governor and deputy governor, and they emphasized that the issues in Rivers State could have been addressed through these established channels.
Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, also condemned the state of emergency declaration, calling it a violation of democratic principles. He argued that the move was politically motivated and undermined the autonomy of state governments.
Despite the criticisms, the federal government has defended its decision, with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, explaining that the declaration was necessary to prevent further chaos in the state. Fagbemi stated that the state of emergency would prevent the Rivers State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment of Governor Fubara and his deputy, which had been a major source of the political unrest.
In his defense of the president’s decision, Fagbemi described the declaration of a state of emergency as a “bold” and necessary step to restore order in the state. He added that the situation in Rivers had reached a critical point, and without intervention, it could have escalated into a more serious crisis.
The federal government also highlighted that the state of emergency was not a suspension of democracy but rather a temporary measure to bring the state back to stability. Once the situation in Rivers State is deemed to have stabilized, the government plans to restore democratic governance to the state.
The state of emergency declaration has led to mixed reactions from political actors and residents in Rivers State. While some residents welcome the intervention as a way to bring an end to the political gridlock, others are concerned about the long-term implications of suspending elected officials. Many are also worried about the potential for increased federal control over state affairs, which could set a dangerous precedent for future interventions.
As Rivers State now enters a state of emergency, the focus will shift to how the federal government plans to manage the state during this period. The appointment of a sole administrator to oversee governance in the state is expected, but it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming months.
The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the political disputes in Rivers, urging the federal government to reconsider its decision and work towards a more inclusive solution. It is clear that the declaration of a state of emergency has deepened the political divide, and the coming weeks and months will likely determine whether the move will bring peace to Rivers State or exacerbate the tensions already at play.
As the situation continues to evolve, the residents of Rivers State and the rest of Nigeria will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the rule of law and democratic principles.
