President Tinubu Seeks National Assembly Approval Of State Of Emergency In Rivers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the National Assembly to seek approval of the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers State.
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, made this known following President Tinubu’s declaration on Rivers crisis.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, as well as the members of the State House of Assembly for six months over the lingering crisis in the state.
President Tinubu subsequently nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the period.
In a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday, Rotimi said that the leadership of the National Assembly including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the nationwide broadcast.
He said, “In response to multiple inquiries, I can confirm that the National Assembly was duly consulted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in reaching this decision.
“The leadership of the National Assembly including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and the House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, met with the President and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the broadcast.
“Also in attendance were key security officials, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed.
“During this meeting, they were fully briefed on Mr. President’s intentions, and all present unanimously expressed their support.
“Furthermore, Mr. President’s formal letter, informing the House of Representatives of his decision and seeking approval in line with Section 305 of the Constitution, has been transmitted and will be read during plenary tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and further legislative action debated and decided.”