₦airaland Forum

In a swift one-hour session, the House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

This, however, came with some critical amendments to the president's proclamation.

With what transpired on the floor of the House, it became evident that lawmakers across party lines were on the same page regarding the need for intervention in Rivers State.

Even those who initially raised constitutional concerns eventually aligned with the decision to approve the emergency rule.

Recall that Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as administrator.

However, there has been stiff opposition to the president's proclamation from many quarters. The lawmakers were not deterred to proceed with the approval despite the oppositions.

During Thursday's plenary session which barely lasted one hour, the House endorsed the president’s proclamation through a voice vote.

Before the debate, the House had gone into an executive session that lasted 10 minutes.

Once the plenary resumed, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read Tinubu’s letter declaring the state of emergency and immediately moved to consider the motion.

The Speaker who presided over the plenary then asked members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s declaration.

However, prior to the deliberation of the president's request, lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Obi Agwuncha suggested an headcount of members present but he his point of order was ignored.

During deliberations, Deputy House Spokesman Philip Agbese, recommended that a National Peace Committee be set up to mediate between the warring parties.

"A National Peace Committee should be in place to ensure that the problems are resolved within six months," Agnese suggested. The House agreed to the amendment.

Labour Party lawmaker, Etanabene Benedict representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, Delta State pointed out that Section 305 of the Constitution which provides for a state of emergency must not be applied in isolation.

He argued that Section 11(4) of the Constitution should be considered, as it mandates the National Assembly to make laws for a state when its legislature is suspended, not the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as Tinubu had proposed.

"However, Mr Speaker I have a few amendments. Section 305 can't be read in isolation without Section 11 that the national assembly shall make law on behalf of the states in case of a state of emergency where the State House of Assembly is also suspended.

"I listened to Mr president where the Present said Rules and Regulations made by the sole administrator will have to be approved by the Federal Executive Council and all that. But I pray Section 11 should be included in the amendment. Section 11 subsection four should be taken into effect", Benedict said.

Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution said: "At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order, and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State: Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from office."

Following his argument, the House amended the motion to ensure that the National Assembly, not FEC, would assume legislative powers during the emergency.

Also, while the President proposed a six-month emergency rule, Minority Whip, Ali Isah suggested that the emergency should be reviewed continuously rather than being set for six months.

"I believe the matter can be resolved in the shortest period of time. Maybe next week. The President has shown commitment, so the President should be given the opportunity to retain the position of declaration for emergency with review at any given time. They should allow the President to terminate or review the state of emergency. The President doesn't need to wait until six months," he said.

His argument was also adopted which will now allow for a periodic review of the emergency rule instead of a fixed six-month duration.

The motion was then put to a voice vote, and the chamber resounded with voices of 'Aye.'

Following the approval, the Speaker announced that 243 members were present in the chamber to assent to the president’s request.

https://guardian.ng/news/rivers-crisis-how-reps-amended-approved-tinubus-emergency-request-in-one-hour/

No matter how the opposition tries to spin this, the president's actions were justified.

The house has spoken and they represent the will of the people.

Well done Mr President.

Nice amendments

You see why it is good to have respectable and elderly statesmen that can intervene and solve lingering political crisis. The biggest blame for all these brouhahas should go to all elders in Rivers State for failing to call their warring sons and daughters to order. Their action and inaction paved ways for outsiders to meddle into this crisis.

Jagaban my president.

I love the fast response from the house.

richiemcgold:
You see why it is good to have respectable and elderly statesmen that can intervene and solve lingering political crisis. The biggest blame for all these brouhahas should go to all elders in Rivers State for failing to call their warring sons and daughters to order. Their action and inaction paved ways for outsiders to meddle into this crisis.

What exactly are you saying? Wike has never listened to anybody. So what do you expect the elders to do?

This is very commendable from the house of representatives

tundegan:
No matter how the opposition tries to spin this, the president's actions were justified.

The house has spoken and they represent the will of the people.

Well done Mr President.

Yes. The house didn't do a head count to be sure they had a 2/3 majority.

Yes they did a good job.......for the president.

yarimo:
This is very commendable from the house of representatives

Be specific. That's Barr. Ben from Uvwie, making sure that sections of the constitution regarding the state of emergency are not interpreted independently by Tiffnubu.

I am very very proud of Barr. Ben.

Good one by my reps member.

As long as there was no headcount,the whole exercise is a repeated rape on democracy....bt then our own na to dey shout here.Tinubu has taken over 3 arms of government n we now in dictatorship wit zero opposition except a religious extremist called rufai

In the interest of peace, good decision.

advanceDNA:
Action already carried out before approval......

Nigeria is a weird country .....as in... the three arms of the government be in wicked and manipulative synergy against the Nigerian pple...

This law was duly followed. Approval from NASS comes next after the President transmitted his decision before them. People like you are quick to talk down on your country yet you're most ignorant of simple events.



-Kiss the truth!

TimeManager:
This law was duly followed. Approval from NASS comes next after the President transmitted his decision before them. People like you are quick to talk down on your country yet you're most ignorant of simple events.


!

This one has come again....
Be praising wrong doing ....
Approval should be in place first...that's the standard....

Just watch how 3rd term will be approved.

advanceDNA:
This one has come again....
Be praising wrong doing ....
Approval should be in place first...that's the standard....

Sorry, I forgot you were the one who wrote the constitution. Online constitutional lawyer.
An approval ratifies the decision while a disapproval reverses it. That's how it works but You don't know zilch!



-Kiss the truth!

richiemcgold:
You see why it is good to have respectable and elderly statesmen that can intervene and solve lingering political crisis. The biggest blame for all these brouhahas should go to all elders in Rivers State for failing to call their warring sons and daughters to order. Their action and inaction paved ways for outsiders to meddle into this crisis.

If there is any lesson the Southwest as learned from Northern Politicians, It is to never allow scavengers to come and settle their political difference for them. SouthSouth should borrow a leave from this.

yarimo:
This is very commendable from the house of representatives

APC minions will always allow the criminal drug lord and his gang of thieves to circumvent our constitution and right a s a people . Ndi ara

TimeManager:
Sorry, I forgot you were the one who wrote the constitution. Online constitutional lawyer.
An approval ratifies the decision while a disapproval reverses it. That's how it works but You don't know zilch!



-Kiss the truth!

So ur president can start spending before presenting budget for approval....
. U are just an ass-licker of the president and will never tell the truth even if it means saving ur life
.. Floor members of party na him u be ...it's like they remove ur brain when u follow ur corrupt political leaders ...

tundegan:
No matter how the opposition tries to spin this, the president's actions were justified.

The house has spoken and they represent the will of the people.

Well done Mr President.

We will judge when it happens in your region.



Only time shall tell if you will support it in future or get mad.

👿👿👿

advanceDNA:
Action already carried out before approval......

Nigeria is a weird country .....as in... the three arms of the government be in wicked and manipulative synergy against the Nigerian pple...

Hehehehehe

bdon12:
As long as there was no headcount,the whole exercise is a repeated rape on democracy....bt then our own na to dey shout here.Tinubu has taken over 3 arms of government n we now in dictatorship wit zero opposition except a religious extremist called rufai

You talk as if there’s democracy in Nigeria! Democracy left the building in 2015, and what took its place was demonstration of craze (apologies to Fela)!

PRESIDENT TINUBU SALUTES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR PATRIOTIC STAND ON RIVERS STATE EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday lauded the National Assembly for its decisive and patriotic ratification of the State of Emergency proclamation in Rivers State, a critical step to restoring stability after a protracted political crisis that paralysed governance in the state and endangered national economic security for over 15 months.

The President specifically commended the National Assembly's leadership—Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio , House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, other principal officers and members—for prioritising the security and welfare of Rivers State people above partisan interests and other considerations.

He further acknowledged the lawmakers' diligent review of classified security briefings, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent further escalation.

"The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening the security of vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the significant progress we have made in the reforms initiated since our administration commenced in May 2023," President Tinubu remarked.

"As I detailed in my address to the nation on 18 March, the near-total collapse of governance, threats to federal economic assets, and the risk of widespread violence left no room for hesitation. This emergency measure is a lifeline to safeguard livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic accountability."

The President affirmed that the six-month emergency will empower the newly-appointed Sole Administrator to stabilise Rivers State, address systemic breakdowns, and facilitate dialogue among conflicting parties.

President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Assembly to advance peace, economic resilience, and equitable development across Nigeria.

"Today's decision exemplifies what our nation can achieve when unity of purpose and patriotism guide the action of leaders. We remain steadfast in pursuing a safer, more prosperous Nigeria—one where every citizen's potential is safeguarded and nurtured," he said.

The President thanked all Nigerians for their understanding and urged all stakeholders to support the restoration of peace in Rivers State.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
March 20, 2025

IGBOPROMISE1:
You talk as if there’s democracy in Nigeria! Democracy left the building in 2015, and what took its place was demonstration of craze (apologies to Fela)!

Honestly i will go quiet soon... I understand d hand writing on d wall n no need to shout.A new family has taken ownership of naija.Even if tinubu dies of age we know whose next in line.We already in one party system

Why did the national assembly not do vite count and record how people voted?

Don't you watch US election where campaign is based on policies that lawmakers voted for?

tundegan:
No matter how the opposition tries to spin this, the president's actions were justified.

The house has spoken and they represent the will of the people.

Well done Mr President.