The Senate has postponed its morning agenda by stepping down a motion aimed at approving the state of emergency declared in Rivers State until 3pm, with no detailed explanation offered for the delay.
The motion—sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele—was slated for debate and a vote during the morning session, but lawmakers unexpectedly decided to defer the discussion.
According to the motion, there is a “clear worry over the escalating tensions, which have paralyzed the state and hindered the delivery of democratic dividends to its residents.”
It further notes that there is a significant concern as some militants “had threatened fire and brimstone with security report of disturbing incidents of vandalization of oil pipelines.”
The document adds that the Senate is “convinced that there is the need to provide adequate and extra ordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security in Rivers State.”
For the emergency declaration to be enacted, the Senate needs a two-thirds majority—73 out of 109 senators.
This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s Tuesday proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State amid an ongoing political crisis.
During a nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months, while appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the state administrator for the initial six-month period.
