Senate Approves State of Emergency in Rivers, Suspends Governor and Lawmakers

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating political tensions and recent incidents of pipeline vandalism. The decision includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval after a closed-door session on Thursday, referencing Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136. The Senate’s move aligns with the earlier approval from the House of Representatives, reinforcing the emergency declaration.

As part of the directive, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator of Rivers State, while allowing the judiciary to continue operating. This marks Nigeria’s first emergency rule in over a decade.

However, the Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the suspension of elected officials, arguing that a state of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend a democratic government. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with legal experts questioning its constitutional validity.