By Emmanuel Nduka
Both the Upper and Lower houses of Nigeria’s Parliament have given approval to the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, following a Tuesday declaration.
The decision was reached after a closed-door session that lasted for nearly two hours, and was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary.
In line with the House of Representatives earlier endorsement, the Senate greenlighted the emergency rule, but included stipulations, urging the National Assembly to oversee the actions of the appointed sole administrator.
Additionally, the Senate recommended the establishment of a team of eminent Nigerians to mediate the ongoing political conflict.
The move follows escalating tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the faction of the State House of Assembly aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Nigeria’s capital city.
In response to the unrest, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Ordu, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
To take control of the state’s administration, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the new sole administrator.
Ibas was sworn in on Wednesday evening, marking the beginning of his leadership over the troubled state.
Tinubu’s move has since sparked angst among the Ijaw nation and many other prominent Nigerians.
While some sections of Nigerians have applauded the president for stepping in, others have deemed his actions authoritarian, overbearing and unconstitutional.
Nigeria’s main opposition party- the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have also rejected the emergency rule declaration.
