The Nigerian Upper Chamber – the Senate has aligned with the House of Representatives in backing President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President made the proclamation on Wednesday, invoking constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution, which many constitutional experts argue do not exist.
The Senate’s backing completes the legislative approval for the emergency rule, following the earlier endorsement by the House of Representatives.
The Senate’s session was chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The consent was by a voice vote.
President Tinubu had earlier nominated a retired Navy General Ibok-ete Ekwe Ibas, as the Sole Administrator to govern the state for the next four years.
Tinubu’s proclamation includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state legislature.
Opposition voices fear this sets a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening President Tinubu and his successors to unseat subnational governments they find unfavorable.
The National Assembly has imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period, as required by the constitution. It required the Sole Administrator to report to it, and not the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as earlier gazetted.
Additionally, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.
However, supporters of the now-disempowered governor may view this move as a mere embellishment of a grave injustice to the governor’s democratic rights and the sovereignty of the people, as expressed through their voting choice on March 11, 2023.
From a practical political standpoint, this could be the end of Gov. Fubara’s short journey in power.
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