The Senate has approved the state of emergency declared by the President Bola Tinubu for Rivers State.
The senate did this after going into a closed door session to debate the request of the President to approve the state of emergency.
The request was contained in a letter read aloud at plenary by Senate President Akpabio. It 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.”
Earlier, the House had approved the state of emergency for Rivers State, declared on Wednesday.
The House adopted the proclamation through a voice vote. There were 243 members in attendance.
The House, however, recommended that a national committee be set up to mitigate and restore peace to Rivers State.
The House further resolved that the National Assembly take over the activities of the state House Assembly within the six months the state of emergency lasts.
The National Assembly also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.