The Senate has officially approved the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State on Tuesday.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision on Thursday after a closed-door session that lasted over an hour.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the senators.
As part of the approval, the Senate resolved “that Section 11 of Section 4 of the Constitution be invoked to provide the National Assembly the authority to set up a joint ad hoc committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of Rivers State henceforth.”
According to Section 305(6)(b) of the Constitution, a proclamation of a state of emergency by the President ceases to have effect “if it affects the Federation or any part thereof and within two days when the National Assembly is in session, or within ten days when the National Assembly is not in session, after its publication, there is no resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the proclamation.”
While granting the approval, the Senate stipulated that the emergency rule in Rivers State should not exceed six months.
Additionally, the Senate resolved to establish a committee composed of eminent Nigerians to mediate between the warring factions within the Rivers State government during the emergency period.
Akpabio, in announcing the Senate’s approval, emphasized that all relevant constitutional provisions and Senate standing rules had been adhered to.
He stated: “The Senate hereby approves the proclamation of the State of Emergency declared by Mr. President in Rivers State of Nigeria as amended, pursuant to Section 60 of the Constitution, Section 305, and pursuant to our Rules of the Standing Orders of the Senate and also pursuant to Senate Rules 134, 135, and 136 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In a brief remark, Akpabio expressed hope that the emergency rule would restore stability in Rivers State.
“Let me thank you for your cooperation and patriotic zeal as enunciated, as expressed, as restated, and as displayed on the floor of the Senate today. It is our hope that this declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State by Mr. President will bring peace and ensure a speedy resolution of all the issues that led to the unrest. I hope that all will abide by this and use this window of opportunity within the next six months to resolve all these issues so that we can have peace and tranquillity with good governance in Rivers State of Nigeria.”
