A combined picture of President Bola Ahmed and Siminalayi Fubara
By Victory Oghene
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for emergency rule in Rivers State marking a new chapter in the escalating political crisis.
The approval came after a closed-door session held by lawmakers on Thursday, where senators deliberated on the controversial suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the federal takeover of the state’s administration.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session, after which the lawmakers backed Tinubu’s emergency rule proclamation.
This legislative approval follows Wednesday’s swearing-in of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State.
Ibas wasted no time assuming his role. Arriving at the Rivers State Government House on Thursday morning, he immediately presided over a closed-door meeting with senior security officers, a federal government delegation, and top state government officials.
Before reaching their decision, senators held a highly secretive session to consider the implications of Tinubu’s move.
The closed session was initiated after Senate President Akpabio read a letter from the president seeking legislative approval for the emergency rule.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for the closed session under Order 135 of the Senate rules, stating, “In the first instance, I came under Order 1(b) of our rules, which gives us power to regulate our procedure. The first task was for me to inform our colleagues that we are going to adjust the items on the order paper. The next step, of course, is to move a motion for us to enter a closed session pursuant to Order 135 of our rules.”
The motion was quickly seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, paving the way for behind-the-scenes deliberations.
The House of Representatives had earlier thrown its weight behind Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule, voting overwhelmingly in favour of the declaration.
With both legislative chambers now in agreement, Tinubu’s takeover of Rivers State is effectively sealed as requested by the country’s constitution.
